In the end, Old Man Yugi still couldn't persuade Jaden.
But Yugi seemed to have expected that outcome from the very beginning.
On the way back, Jaden talked about many things-about battles, about the future, about things that didn't really matter. Yugi listened quietly, saying almost nothing. It wasn't until they returned to Aigyptos that Yugi finally stopped and nodded at him.
"Jaden," Yugi said slowly, "the next phase will be handled by me, the other me, and Kaiba. We'll lock down and suppress the sub-world where the Chaos Phantasm is located. Even if you want to go, you'll have to wait for a while."
He paused, then added gently, "During this time, stay with Erina. Make whatever preparations you need before the real battle."
Jaden nodded without hesitation and turned to leave.
Yugi watched his retreating back, then shook his head with a faint, helpless smile.
After Jaden disappeared from view, Yugi slowly reached into his deck box and took out two cards.
One was Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
The other was a Spell Card-The Will of the Commons.
The artwork on the Spell Card showed a man striding forward resolutely. If Atem or Kaiba were present, they would have recognized him immediately. The figure in the card bore an uncanny resemblance-nearly ninety percent-to Jonouchi.
It might even be him.
Yugi stared at the two cards in silence.
"Jonouchi..."
His gaze wavered for a moment. Then, slowly, the depth in his eyes cleared, replaced by firm resolve.
It was as if he had made a decision.
As if he were saying goodbye to something.
"No matter what," Yugi murmured, "things are about to end. And this time... there will be no more sacrifices."
He clenched the cards slightly.
"If it still doesn't succeed... then I'll accept your anger. Your blame."
"I'm sorry, Jonouchi."
Jaden flew back to the Far East from Aigyptos.
At first, he wanted to go straight to Erina. But after thinking for a moment, he realized she was probably still asleep. Instead, he summoned Brynhildr.
"Brynhildr," Jaden said, "take me somewhere big enough. Somewhere suitable for testing a few things."
The illusion projected by Brynhildr nodded.
The thirteen King's Orbs hidden within Jaden's body lit up at once.
His figure vanished.
When Jaden opened his eyes again, he found himself in a place he had only seen once-but would never forget.
Above him stretched a pitch-black void.
Beneath his feet floated shattered fragments of land, drifting silently in the darkness.
This was the outer side of the world-the void that surrounded and contained it.
"Lord Yuki," Brynhildr said softly, "this place is ideal. You may use highly destructive techniques here without restraint."
Jaden nodded.
Brynhildr bowed, her form dissolving into golden motes that scattered into the void.
Jaden stretched his arms and looked around at the drifting land fragments and distant celestial bodies.
"Since the old man put it that way," he muttered, "I should prepare properly."
He smiled faintly.
"The Chaos Phantasm... an existence that can independently create a sub-world. Even with its dark power suppressed, it's definitely not something I can underestimate."
Because it was strong-
This might be one of the few chances Jaden would ever get to go all out.
So before that, he needed to understand something very important.
Just how strong was he now, if he unleashed everything?
He had never truly tested it.
Even when he transformed into a Great Ape, he was only testing whether he could retain his sanity-not what would happen if he released all his energy at once.
Still, he had no doubt.
If he had lost control back then, the continent beneath his feet would have been shattered instantly.
It was precisely because he had never encountered an opponent like the Chaos Phantasm-and because he had never needed to-that Jaden had always restrained himself, controlling his energy down to the finest detail.
"But releasing everything at once..." Jaden said thoughtfully, "that takes a bit of finesse."
He scanned the void.
Soon, his gaze locked onto a barren planet drifting nearby-roughly planetary in size.
Jaden stood on one leg, adopting a stance like a javelin thrower. He swung his arm and hurled an energy blast more than a meter in diameter.
Boom-!
The barren planet erupted.
From Jaden's position, a massive crater was clearly visible, carved into the planet's surface.
"A full-power strike without any special techniques..." Jaden analyzed calmly. "About the level of a large meteorite impact."
He nodded.
"If it hits the right spot, it could wipe out a mountain range-or even shatter a continent in one blow."
He chuckled softly.
"I might be stronger than I thought."
At first, he had estimated that, in Dragon Ball terms, his battle power would be around five to eight thousand.
But now...
"That might not be accurate."
Jaden raised his hands.
"I'll try this."
He didn't possess Goku's memories of Ki control, but drawing out all the energy in his body wasn't difficult.
Electric arcs danced along his forearms as power gathered in his palms.
He fixed his gaze on the barren planet and thrust both hands forward.
A torrent of energy erupted.
A blinding light swallowed all color.
Boom-!!
When the light faded, an even more intense radiance flared from where the planet had been.
Then-
Nothing.
The planet was gone.
Only countless fragments drifted silently through the void.
Jaden exhaled slowly, steadying his breath as he looked at the debris field.
Now, at last, he had a clear understanding.
"...I see."
He smiled faintly.
"At minimum..."
"I might already have the battle power of Vegeta when he first came to Earth."