The helicopter flew toward Dartz's location.
Inside the aircraft, everyone was silent.
Suddenly, several helicopters appeared and surrounded them.
"Who are they?"
"Are they Dartz's men?"
"No, they probably aren't. They're signaling to us. Looks like they want us to follow them. What should we do, Seto?" Kisara asked.
"We have no choice but to follow them. Isono!" Kaiba said.
"Yes, sir!"
Kaiba's helicopter followed them. Ahead, they soon saw an aircraft carrier. The other side signaled for them to land.
When Kaiba saw the military personnel aboard the carrier, he said, "Are you people with Doma too?"
"Mr. Kaiba, we have been monitoring Doma's movements—as well as yours."
"What do you mean?" Kaiba asked.
"We know the strange phenomena occurring around the world are connected to Doma. However, Doma's influence has already reached the core of national governments. Our superiors will not grant us permission to attack them."
"So Doma's power has reached the point where they can control the politics of major nations?" Yugi said.
"It shames me to say this, but the fate of the world can only be entrusted to you now."
"National authority was never reliable to begin with," Kaiba said.
"At least allow us to take you part of the way and refuel your helicopter."
"So in the end, only card games can save the world," Kisaragi thought. "But this duel won't be easy."
The aircraft carrier carried Kaiba's group forward until they reached a vast region ahead, shrouded in black clouds. Lightning rumbled within.
"We cannot proceed any farther. But please remember—most of us hope you win."
"Then I'll at least say thank you," Kaiba replied.
"My son is also a fan of Duel Monsters. Please protect the future of our children!"
Kaiba did not respond. He walked straight into the helicopter.
"Isono, start the helicopter!"
The helicopter rose into the air and flew directly into the region covered by storm clouds. The area was filled with rising tornadoes, forcing Isono to pilot with extreme caution.
The aircraft shook violently. Everyone struggled to sit or stand steadily. Kisara, sitting beside Kaiba, was nearly thrown from her seat when Kaiba swiftly reached out, grabbed her with one hand, and pulled her into his arms.
"Isono, fly steadier!" Kaiba snapped.
"Yes, sir!"
"Seto, I'm fine. You can let go," Kisaragi said.
Kaiba did not answer. Instead, his arm tightened around her. Feeling the strength in his embrace, Kisaragi's face suddenly grew hot, and she had no choice but to lower her head.
"Ugh, Kaiba's showing off again. Can't watch this. Definitely can't watch this," Joey grumbled.
"President, the tornadoes outside are too strong. We can't get any closer!"
Suddenly, the tornadoes slowly shifted aside, opening a path for the helicopter.
"Is this an invitation?" Yugi said.
The helicopter passed through the tornado-filled region, and what appeared before everyone was a majestic temple.
"Dartz should be in there!"
"Let's go!"
"So this is Doma's headquarters," Kisaragi said.
"Come on, Kisaragi," Kaiba said.
"Right!"
The group entered the temple. Its interior was covered with serpentine reliefs.
"This atmosphere is suffocating."
"Yes, I can feel it too." After saying that, Kisaragi looked back. "Everyone, stay close. Don't fall behind. This is the enemy's headquarters, after all."
They continued forward. No one spoke along the way.
At last, they reached a chamber filled with murals roughly the size of photographs.
"Look!" Téa said.
Everyone looked ahead. Countless people were imprinted on the walls.
"I think these are the people whose souls were sealed by The Seal of Orichalcos," Kisaragi said.
"I have been waiting for you for a long time, Duel King Aoi Kisaragi, nameless Pharaoh, Seto."
Dartz's voice echoed through the chamber, and his figure appeared along with it.
"Dartz!"
"Welcome to my temple! To receive such powerful souls as yours—our god will surely bless you!" Dartz said.
"Your blessings only bring trouble to people!" Kaiba said.
"Heh heh heh. I can feel your powerful souls. I will prepare special seats for you!"
With a wave of Dartz's hand, the murals that had originally held people slowly turned blank.
"Quit joking around. The Three Swordsmen you relied on have all been defeated by us. Now you're alone!" Kaiba said.
"Is that so?" Dartz said. "They were indeed defeated, but using their souls as sacrifices was part of my plan from the very beginning."
"How could you? That's horrible!" Téa said.
"But it is still not enough. To revive our god, I need your souls."
"If we want to free these souls, then we have to defeat you. Is that right?" Kisaragi asked.
"Exactly. Behold, Aoi Kisaragi, Seto, nameless Pharaoh!"
As Dartz spoke, the entire chamber lit up. Not only the walls, but even the floor and ceiling were covered with sealed souls.
"So this is… the true source of this oppressive feeling?" Kaiba said.
"Look. The people trapped here aren't only from the modern era," Téa said.
"Correct. These are the souls of people from ten thousand years ago. I am the one who stands upon all this history."
"A duel was originally a ritual in which souls were wagered. So let us follow the ancient way."
As Dartz finished speaking, a Duel Disk appeared on his arm.
"Come. Whoever wishes to duel, step forward!"
Kaiba, Yugi, and Joey all prepared to activate their Duel Disks.
"Please wait!" Kisaragi said.
Everyone looked at her in confusion.
"Please leave this incident to me," Kisaragi said.
"Why?" Yugi and Joey asked.
"This incident is connected to KaibaCorp and Industrial Illusions. Therefore, both Kaiba and I have reason to fight," Kisaragi said.
"I refuse!" Kaiba said.
From the moment he saw Dartz, a powerful unease had welled up inside him. Even though he did not believe Kisaragi would lose, that unease had not faded in the slightest.
"I am the president of KaibaCorp. If I don't fight, then I can hardly justify that. At the very least, let me fight beside you!"
After saying that, Kaiba stood beside Kisaragi.
"Seto…"
Kisaragi knew clearly that if Kaiba fought, his soul would be sealed. Even though it would not be for long, just the thought of Kaiba being sealed made her body tremble unconsciously.
She did not want to see Kaiba collapse before her eyes.
Kisaragi was just about to refuse when she met Kaiba's unwavering gaze. Looking into those eyes, she found herself nodding before she realized it.
"In that case…"
Yugi took out The Eye of Timaeus and handed it to Kisara.
"This card will probably be useful to you!"
"Mine too!" Joey said, taking out The Claw of Hermos.
"I understand. I'll hold on to the Legendary Dragon cards for now."
Kisaragi accepted the two cards.
"I probably won't need the Legendary Dragons in this duel," she thought.
Then Kisaragi looked at Dartz.
"This duel will be fought by Seto and me together. No objections, right?" Kisaragi said.
"None at all. Then offer your souls together, Aoi Kisaragi and Seto!"
Join here to read ahead.
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 180)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl 285
"Is this chat group even serious?" 150
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (This matter is completely finished.)
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 255
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 210
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 305
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer (This matter is completely finished.)
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 130
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 155
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 120
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 155
My Harem Is Indescribable 105
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 110
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 110
Still playing traditional Honk 96
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 95
What Should I Do After Switchi 51
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 80
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 105
Checking In in Demon Slayer 95
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 105
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 95
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel (This matter is completely finished.)
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 95
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 90
Why did they assign me to Uma 80
MYGO Beauties 75
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 80
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 100
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 120
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 65
The Uma Musume Who Became 70
I'm Definitely Not the King of 105
After Maxing Out Every Class 110
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 95
I, the Elden Sword Saint 60
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 60
No One Knows Pokémon Better 60
I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 69
From Trilobites to Titans 57
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 75
DanMachi: My Party Members Are 86
An Anime Heroine Darkened 60
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Links 70
Honkai: The Fire Devil 70
Honkai Transformation Cards Volume2/30
Age of Heroes, I'm Just a Back 60
Uma Musume Has No Weird Fan Le 36
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