Fusion is the noblest form of summoning!

Invincible?

What an exaggerated idea.

Even 【Super Polymerization】 isn't truly invincible. If the opponent has a card like "Ring of the Sovereign" on their field, even Super Polymerization will be negated.

“I set a card and end my turn.”

It's Tenjo Hikari's turn. He draws a card, glances at it, then closes his eyes to think.

“Invincible? Hey, you, how strong is that monster? Isn't it just a Number? It can't be destroyed by battle except by Number monsters, what's so great about it?” Tierra asks the saw-wheel lion.

Not knowing the monster's effect makes her a bit worried about Tenjo Hikari. She drops the pretense and directly asks a spirit who seems to know about it.

“My God, I can't explain it in a few words, but that guy just won't die!”

Just won't die?

Tierra frowns.

“My turn, draw.”

Tenjo Hikari glances at his hand and thinks for a moment.

The effect of the Dragonblood Fiend is quite good.

Its first effect is, once per turn, to detach 1 Xyz Material from it and change 1 monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck to face-down Defense Position. It's a barely decent form of disruption.

But that's not the troublesome part.

Its second effect is, if it leaves the field face-up due to an opponent's effect and is sent to the Graveyard or banished, Special Summon it in face-down Defense Position.

At first glance, it doesn't seem like much, but combined with "Number monsters can only be destroyed by battle with Number monsters," it becomes quite tricky.

After all, even if it's fused away with Super Polymerization, it can return to the field.

Of course, it's not like there's absolutely no way to deal with it.

For example, Tenjo Hikari could use "Gem-Knight Lapis Lazuli's" effect to return it to the hand, directly returning the card to the Extra Deck. But that would be a slight loss. And the opponent could use more resources to Summon it again.

“Normal Summon, Aleister the Invoker.” Tenjo Hikari doesn't think for too long and isn't nervous about the heavy, bloody scent around him.

Compared to the overwhelming blood energy of Blood Demon D, the Dragonblood Fiend is still quite basic.

“Aleister's effect, add one 'Invocation' from the deck to my hand.”

“Aleister, that's indeed a very powerful monster. But, no matter how powerful a monster is, it can't get past the Dragonblood Fiend!”

“Is that so.” Tenjo Hikari doesn't care, and after getting the Invocation card from the deck, he reveals it. “Spell Card, Invocation.”

“This card can send monsters from your hand to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon. When Fusion Summoning an 'Invoked' monster, you can also banish monsters from your field and your opponent's Graveyard to Fusion Summon. I banish Aleister the Invoker from my field and Flame Swordsman from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon—Invoked Purgatrio.”

Three flames burn on Tenjo Hikari's field, and several demons line up, greeting Tenjo Hikari with smiles.

Invoked Purgatrio, Level 7, FIRE Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 2300.

“This card gains 200 ATK for each card your opponent controls.”

Invoked Purgatrio, ATK: 2300 → 2900.

“The effect of Invocation in the Graveyard, return it to the deck, and return the banished Aleister the Invoker to the hand.”

Tenjo Hikari leisurely takes Aleister back.

“Aleister can increase the Fusion Monster's ATK by 1000, and this Invoked is a FIRE attribute. If it's destroyed by battle or effect, it can revive Flame Swordsman in the Graveyard.

That's really cunning, Tenjo Hikari.”

Burns mutters quietly, seemingly trying to figure out Tenjo Hikari's intentions.

It's as if he can win and prove something as long as he can see through Tenjo Hikari.

Tenjo Hikari's turn continues, and he raises a card: “Activate the Normal Spell Card, Shaddoll Fusion.”

Shaddoll Fusion!

“This is a dedicated Fusion Spell Card for Shaddoll monsters. When your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, you can use monsters from the Deck as Fusion Material to Fusion Summon.”

“I fuse Shaddoll Dragon from my deck with Fallen Star Strange from my deck.”

Tenjo Hikari raises his hands, clasps them together, and says: “Fallen angels and humans, messengers of God and central controllers—everything gathers into one body!

Appear!

The Fallen Giant!”

Tenjo Hikari waves his hands down.

“Level 8!”

“El Shaddoll Construct!”

A purple halo floats in the sky, and the divine light formed by puppet strings makes the place even brighter. This mighty figure makes the surrounding spirits admire Tierra even more.

Because they can feel that this monster also has Tierra's power.

El Shaddoll Construct, Level 8, LIGHT Attribute, Fairy-Type, ATK 2800.

“Alright! Forget about Numbers, Construct can destroy monsters directly in battle without damage calculation!” Tierra punches the air. “Just attack!”

Tenjo Hikari continues his actions: “Construct and the Shaddoll Dragon sent to the Graveyard activate their effects. Shaddoll Dragon's effect: if this card is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the opponent's field. I destroy the set card on your left.

Construct's effect: send 1 'Shaddoll' card from the Deck to the Graveyard.”

“I send Shaddoll Beast from the deck to the Graveyard.”

As Tenjo Hikari takes action, Tierra's puppet strings wrap around a card on the ground, pull it up, and tear it apart directly.

Continuous Trap Card, Junk Sleep.

At the end of either player's turn, you can change a monster to face-down Defense Position.

Combined with Dragonblood Fiend's effect of “if this card is flipped face-up, send 1 card on the field to the Graveyard,” it's quite useful.

Heh, quite a plan.

“Shaddoll Beast's effect: if this card is sent to the Graveyard, draw 1 card.” Tenjo Hikari draws a card from the deck with a whoosh, glances at it, raises his eyebrow, and slightly curls the corner of his mouth, then continues to look at the field.

“Battle, Construct attacks Dragonblood Fiend!”

An angel fighting a blood demon is very orthodox.

Although Dragonblood Fiend can return to the field with its effect, Tenjo Hikari's idea is simple: to consume Dragonblood Fiend's Xyz Material first.

“Tch! No way! I activate Dragonblood Fiend's effect, once per turn, detach 1 Xyz Material, target 1 monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck your opponent controls, change that monster to face-down Defense Position.”

He points at El Shaddoll Construct: “Go down, angel!”

The radiant angel bows continuously under the control of blood, and soon a huge card presses it down, leaving only a shining ball of puppet strings, proving its existence.

Dragonblood Fiend Xyz Material: 2 → 1.

“How is it, Tenjo Hikari? This is the new power I learned from Fusion, an Xyz Monster composed of Fusion Monsters! It's definitely not worse than yours!”

“Heh—”

Tenjo Hikari gently shakes his head.

“What are you laughing at?” Burns's expression is very unpleasant.

“The more eager you are to prove something, the more it shows what you lack.” Tenjo Hikari crosses his arms and slowly shakes his head. “What unifying all humans, making the world a great union, Akaba Reiji can say such things, but can you really believe it?”

Burns's back teeth grind together.

He's been hit where it hurts.

No matter how much he deceives himself, he has long realized that what Akaba Reiji says and does are never the same.

Although these are indeed the “guidelines” of the Fusion Army.

But not many in the Fusion Army really believe it.

After all, no matter how good the slogans are, actions are what really matter.

“You're the same. No matter how good you say it, in the end, you still want to prove your excellence, want to prove that you're not wrong, so you've been comparing yourself to me from the beginning, comparing this and that.

In the end, aren't you just looking for a sense of existence because you failed in your sneak attack and were looked down upon? Why say so many nice things?”

“Tenjo Hikari!!”

He's burning with anger.

Tenjo Hikari spreads his hands, with a teasing smile on his face: “Alright, since you want to compare yourself to me so much, I'll let you die knowing today. Invoked Purgatrio has a piercing effect, but its ATK is lower than your Dragonblood Fiend's DEF now, so it won't attack.”

Burns lowers his voice, as if responding to “I'll let you know,” and says: “A face-up Dragonblood Fiend can Special Summon itself in face-down Defense Position directly if it leaves the field due to an opponent's effect! So, I'm not afraid of being destroyed, but for a better victory, Tenjo Hikari, don't think you're the only one who knows how to win.”

He looks at the trembling Fluffals, at the Frightfurs who are glaring at him, and snorts.

Tenjo Hikari doesn't mind, he puts a set card into the Duel Disk and ends his turn so easily.

“My turn, draw!” Burns grits his teeth, draws a card, glances at the card's pattern, and his eyes light up.

“Tenjo Hikari, you're thinking that as long as there's a FIRE Fusion Monster on the field, you can't be easily defeated with that Flame Swordsman in the Graveyard, right?

It's not that easy!

Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card—Book of Eclipse!”

“Change all face-up monsters on the field to face-down Defense Position!”

The sun shines down, and suddenly, the blood moon, demons, and fire dragons are all illuminated by the sun, forced to lower their heads, and then turn into cards, crouching on the field.

“I remember that card makes all monsters on the opponent's field turn face-up at the End Phase, and then the opponent draws that many cards!” the bear, who is quite knowledgeable, immediately asks in confusion after seeing this card. “Isn't that very unreasonable?”

The saw-wheel lion can understand its thoughts.

But—the true horror of the Dragonblood Fiend is revealed here.

“I flip Summon the Dragonblood Fiend.”

Dragonblood Fiend, ATK: 2400.

A Flip Summon changes a monster from Defense Position to Attack Position.

But that's not the point.

“This card's effect activates when it's flipped face-up. Choose 1 card on the field and send it to the Graveyard! I choose your Invoked Purgatrio.”

Tenjo Hikari calmly sends Invoked Purgatrio to the Graveyard upon hearing this.

“The effect of Flame Swordsman is only triggered by battle or effect destruction.” Tenjo Hikari even has the energy and spirit to talk to the opponent. “So in fact, even if you don't flip my monsters face-down and send them to the Graveyard directly, I can't Special Summon Flame Swordsman.”

A hint of anger flashes across Burns's face.

“I know that, you don't need to tell me!”

“Haha, he's getting impatient.” Tierra is watching with great interest, no longer caring about what the surrounding "believers" think, and watching the show happily next to Tenjo Hikari.

Burns's face turns red. He grits his teeth and slams a card into the Duel Disk: “Activate the Spell Card, Frightfur Patchwork.”

Once again, he adds Polymerization and Edge Imp Chain to his hand.

Then, he discards Edge Imp Chain again and uses Toy Vendor to draw cards from the deck.

“Fluffal Owl.”

Fluffal Owl is entangled in blood chains all over its body, screaming heartbreakingly, and dragged onto the field.

Fluffal Owl, Level 2, EARTH Attribute, Fairy-Type, ATK 1000.

“Edge Imp Chain's effect, add Frightfur Reborn from the deck to my hand. Fluffal Owl's effect, add 1 'Polymerization' from the deck to my hand.”

Now all the Polymerizations in the deck are in his hand.

But he doesn't mind, because he's going to win now!

“Activate the effect of Edge Imp Scissor in the Graveyard.”

What is that?

“When this card is in the Graveyard, return 1 card to the top of the deck. Special Summon this card. I return Polymerization in my hand to the top of the deck. Special Summon Edge Imp Scissor!”

“Then, activate the Spell Card, Polymerization.”

Burns picks up Polymerization from his hand and chooses the materials on the field.

“I fuse Edge Imp Scissor and Fluffal Owl to Fusion Summon—Frightfur Tiger again!”

Tenjo Hikari strokes his chin and thinks.

It seems he's very short on Fluffals.

He looks to the side.

Indeed, most of the Frightfur spirits are injured, but the Fluffal monsters are basically well-protected.

The bear, who was most seriously injured and torn to pieces, was directly hidden and sent to the sanctuary by them using the factory's production line.

“Frightfur Tiger's effect, destroy cards on your field up to the number of Fusion Materials used—I choose your two monsters.”

Neither the FIRE Attribute monster nor Construct can remain on the field, so they must be destroyed.

“That way, I can attack directly—”

He wins!

“Activate the set card! Continuous Trap, Shaddoll Core!”

Tenjo Hikari raises his hand and waves it: “Shaddoll Core's effect, banish Fusion Materials from the Graveyard to Fusion Summon a 'Shaddoll' monster. If the opponent controls a monster with the same Attribute as that Fusion Monster, you can send it to the Graveyard.

I banish Shaddoll Beast and El Shaddoll Construct from the Graveyard—”

“Listen!” Tenjo Hikari slowly places a card from the Extra Deck onto the field. “The voice of God, the words of God, understand and analyze, this divine command!

Fusion Summon!

Descend!

El Shaddoll Midrash!”

Midrash's long green hair floats in the air, and some ignorant little spirits are already cheering for "God" to descend, but some slightly more advanced spirits, after noticing the difference between Tierra and Midrash, quickly stop them.

Although they look the same.

But they're not.

El Shaddoll Midrash, Level 5, DARK Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 2200.

“Because it's DARK Attribute, I can choose a DARK Attribute monster on your field to send to the Graveyard—I choose, ha, Frightfur Tiger.”

What!?

The blood-colored shackles on the tiger are shattered by countless purple puppet strings. In its surprise, it enters the Graveyard, falling into eternal sleep.

“You didn't choose Dragonblood Fiend?”

“Of course not, after all, it's in Attack Position.”

If it were in Defense Position, he would have to find a way to deal piercing damage, but in Attack Position, he doesn't need to worry at all.

Although 2400 ATK is high, it may not be able to withstand several rounds of monster attacks!

Even if it can't be destroyed by battle, it's still very dangerous!

Moreover, Tenjo Hikari still has "Aleister" in his hand, which can increase the Fusion Monster's ATK by 1000!

As soon as he hears Tenjo Hikari say it's in Attack Position, he immediately becomes irritable and quickly looks for new ideas.

“Tch, activate the Spell Card, Frightfur Reborn.” He thinks about it and feels that he can't just skip his turn waiting, so he activates this search card.

After all, no matter what, Dragonblood Fiend is almost impossible to defeat, so there's no need to worry about the next turn.

“This card can revive 1 'Frightfur' monster in the Graveyard.”

“Come back, Frightfur Tiger.”

Frightfur Tiger, Level 6, DARK Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 1900.

“As long as this card is on the field, the ATK of 'Frightfur' monsters on the field increases by 300 for each 'Frightfur' and 'Fluffal' monster.”

Frightfur Tiger, ATK: 1900 → 2200.

He's very angry.

If it weren't for Shaddoll Core, he would have won at this time.

After all, two Frightfur Tigers would have enough ATK no matter what, so there's no need to worry about "Aleister".

But now……

“Dragonblood Fiend's effect, change your Midrash to face-down Defense Position.”

Dragonblood Fiend, Xyz Material: 1 → 0.

“Eh—” the bear says regretfully.

“Battle! Attack your set monster with Frightfur Tiger—”

Boom!

Midrash is flipped face-up and immediately snipped open by Frightfur Tiger, which doesn't make Tierra feel very good.

Because she hears the bear's even more disappointed voice.

“Midrash's effect, if this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can return 1 'Shaddoll' card from the Graveyard to the hand.”

“Then, Dragonblood Fiend attacks the opponent directly!”

Dragonblood Fiend suddenly jumps into the air, circles for a long time, stares at Tenjo Hikari, and then suddenly dives down, going directly for Tenjo Hikari's neck. Tierra casually slaps it, and Dragonblood Fiend is directly slapped onto the ground, which makes the young spirits who were somewhat disappointed earlier exclaim.

“Wow—”

However, she can block Dragonblood Fiend from sucking Tenjo Hikari's blood, but she can't change the fact that he will take battle damage.

Dragonblood Fiend flaps its wings, and several wind blades cut across Tenjo Hikari, cutting several openings in his uniform, and his body also breaks open, starting to bleed slowly.

Tenjo Hikari LP: 4000 → 1600.

He can feel that Dragonblood Fiend is greedily looking at his blood, while he himself doesn't care, pats his clothes, and says: “It doesn't hurt.”

“Hmph, End Turn.”

Tenjo Hikari puts his hand on the deck, and Tierra next to him looks at him eagerly.

“Go, Tenjo Hikari, make it a beautiful one!”

Although she's worried about Tenjo Hikari, she extremely believes in Tenjo Hikari, not believing that Tenjo Hikari will lose to others. She only hopes that Tenjo Hikari can fight even more handsomely.

Tenjo Hikari is a little speechless.

He rolls his eyes at her.

“Draw.”

Oh.

Fusion Recycling Plant?

Coming at this time, there are no resources to replenish.

But……

He looks to his left.

There are other tricks.

It's rare for Tierra to be doing godly things properly this time.

Moreover, the opponent is Tenjo Hikari's most hated Fusion Army.

“Activate the Field Spell Card, Fusion Recycling Plant.”

“Ha? Fusion Recycling Plant? Now that things have come to this, Tenjo Hikari, isn't it too late to use it now?”

“It's never too late for Fusion.”

Tenjo Hikari watches the surrounding buildings rise rumblingly and puts a card from his hand into the Graveyard: “Activate its effect, discard 1 card to activate. Add 1 'Polymerization' from the deck/Graveyard to the hand.”

Tenjo Hikari discards a card and takes another Polymerization from the deck.

“Then……Normal Summon, Golden Evil Idol!”

Golden light rises on the field, and a chubby magician suddenly appears on the field. His two hands each hold a book, and he uses his countless eyes to stare at the two books, studying them. He suddenly comes back to his senses when he lands.

“Eh!?”

Golden Evil Idol, Level 1, DARK Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 0.

He has hardly appeared in Tenjo Hikari's duels. Although he is a veteran and has a deep resume, his presence is not very high. He doesn't deliberately join in the fun, and he usually lives well at the bottom of the deck reading books.

It's really amazing to be summoned out suddenly today.

“Lord Hikari, it seems you need my knowledge!”

“That's right, thank you for your hard work, sorry for suddenly disturbing you.”

“Hahaha—it doesn't matter, I'm very happy to have an opportunity to be active!”

Looking at their interaction, Burns has a bad feeling for a moment.

“Then, activate Golden Evil Idol's effect. Once per turn, check all of the opponent's hand. This card is treated as 'Thousand-Eyes Idol' until the End Phase.”

“That's despicable!” That's what he said.

The phantom of the cards floats in the sky, and Tenjo Hikari sweeps around, confirming his thoughts.

Basically all Edge Imp Scissors, and also Patchwork and Polymerization.

Sure enough, Frightfurs have consciously protected the Fluffals.

“Activate the effect of Glow-Up Bulb in the Graveyard.”

?

What is that……?

“Send the top card of the deck to the Graveyard, Special Summon this card.”

Tenjo Hikari glances at the card sent to the Graveyard, and it's surprisingly Metalfoes Fusion.

Little Bulb is quite lucky.

After the little flower bud flies out, it immediately hides behind Tenjo Hikari, very afraid of the opponent.

Glow-Up Bulb, Level 1, EARTH Attribute, Plant-Type, ATK 100.

“Don't worry. It'll be over soon.”

“What's the use of summoning so many trash fish?” Burns forces a sneer.

“You still don't understand, even now. Shaddoll Core's effect activates—banish El Shaddoll Midrash and Shaddoll Dragon from the Graveyard, Fusion Summon the second Midrash!”

Another little Mi appears on Tenjo Hikari's field.

But—

Tenjo Hikari doesn't use Core's effect to send cards from the opponent's field to the Graveyard.

Burns vaguely senses something.

“Then—Tuning the Level 1 Glow-Up Bulb with the Level 5 Midrash!”

“What!? Tuning!?”

“Tuning!!!”

“How can it be Tuning!!”

Even the Fusion Army soldiers are shouting madly.

“The ancient dragon that transcends dimensions and pursues the ultimate fusion, now, with the help of the young bulb, transform into a fusion product of infinite changes!”

“Synchro Summon—”

“Level 6, Muddy Mudragon!”

The two monsters turn into stars and become a huge ring. Then, the ring slowly drips pieces of mud like a rain cloud. The mud slowly accumulates and finally turns into a giant blue dragon with a fluorescent glow.

Muddy Mudragon, Level 6, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type, ATK 500.

Mudragon cheerfully waves to Tenjo Hikari, and Tenjo Hikari nods and responds with a smile.

“How can it be Synchro!” Burns has a feeling of collapse. “You, in the end, you also gave up on Fusion, didn't you—”

“Foolish.” Tenjo Hikari puts his hands in his pockets, looks at the opponent, and shakes his head. “Even now, you still don't understand?”

?

“What's the big deal about Xyz or Synchro in the end?”

“The real problem is—you say you want to unite humanity, you say you want peaceful development, you say this and that empty talk.

But what you actually do is the same as when you shout 【Fusion is the noblest Summoning method】.

Hypocritical, false, even you yourselves don't believe it.”

“As for me—” He doesn't continue to talk about this, but just says calmly, “Fusion is the noblest Summoning method.”

“Activate Muddy Mudragon's effect. If this card is Synchro Summoned, activate it during your Main Phase. Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck by using monsters from your field as Fusion Material, including this card, whose names are listed on that Fusion Monster Card, and send them to the Graveyard!

At the same time—Muddy Mudragon can be used as a substitute for 1 Fusion Material Monster whose name is listed on the Fusion Monster Card. At that time, the other Fusion Materials must be genuine.

By the way, don't forget. Golden Evil Idol's name is 【Thousand-Eyes Idol】.”

What……what?

“What? A Synchro Monster's Fusion effect?” “This guy is still fusing even though he's mastered Synchro!?”

“Use the two monsters on the field to Fusion Summon!!”

“You've been by my side all along, but I've never really looked at you—now, transform into the source of fear!

Stare at all those who should die! Become the terminator of all things!

Fusion Summon!

Descend!!

Level 1!

Thousand-Eyes Restrict!”

Pupu……

Countless eyes open, and a jet-black evil god slowly falls from the blood mist. That strangeness, that fear, is even more terrifying and unbelievable than every time Burns has seen it before!

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, Level 1, DARK Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 0.

He swallows.

A……a genuine Fusion Thousand-Eyes Restrict?

“Golden Evil Idol's effect! If this card is banished or sent to the Graveyard by an effect, you can target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls. Equip that Effect Monster to 1 'Relinquished' monster on your field that cannot be Normal Summoned. While this effect is equipped, the equipped monster gains ATK equal to that monster's ATK.

Frightfur Tiger.”

Frightfur Tiger is illuminated by countless eyes, and the blood shackles on its body are destroyed in an instant. Then, it slowly melts and drips like a candle, turning into a part of the evil god.

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK: 0 → 1900.

“Then……ha, Thousand-Eyes Restrict's effect, once per turn, equip 1 monster from the opponent's field to it, gaining that monster's ATK!”

Countless eyes look at Dragonblood Fiend. It roars and tries to escape, but how big is the world that there are no eyes of 【Relinquished】?

After struggling for a long time, its body gets smaller and smaller. Then, it turns into a blood-colored eyeball and slowly merges into Thousand-Eyes Restrict's body, becoming a small eye among its countless eyes.

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK: 1900 → 4300.

“H, how can it be—”

“I said it before.” Tenjo Hikari looks at him. “You just want to desperately prove, want to prove that what you've done is not wrong, want to prove that you're right.

You just want to do evil with peace of mind.”

“Actively expose the information of your monsters, compete with me in words like a contest, painstakingly bypass the effect contents of Construct and Phantom Sword to prove that you're more excellent, but get angry when I point out your mistakes.

Ha—well, I'll give you the ending that the loser deserves.”

“Thousand-Eyes Restrict attack!”

It slowly opens its wings, and countless eyes look at Burns. In front of Burns, the world suddenly turns to darkness.

Countless mirrors appear in front of him, and there are countless selves in the countless mirrors. Some selves are complaining that he played the wrong card, some are complaining that he's too confident in Dragonblood Fiend, some are complaining that he shouldn't have used Book of Eclipse so early, and some are blaming him for not using Dragonblood Fiend's effect last turn.

Countless voices echo in his ears, and then they turn into the voices of many other people, some of the other world spirits he hurt and killed, and some of the resentment of the X-Dimensional humans.

“Don't come over, don't come over ah ah ah ah ah—”

Countless eyeball-shaped wounds on his body start to burst open, spraying blood like a sieve, wailing and falling to the ground, without a sound.

Burns, LP: 4000 → 0.