Fusion is the noblest form of summoning!

“Phantom Hero?”

“A card I've never seen before!”

“I didn't expect there to be new heroes appearing.”

Inside the Light Brigade, Saiou siblings looked at Ed. Ed recalled for a moment and said, “My father once thought about designing a Phantom Hero series different from the Destiny Hero series, but he ultimately chose Destiny Hero. I didn't expect someone to use it.

I'm afraid they obtained it from another dimension.”

At this time, inside the arena, Amakage Hikari also asked a similar question to his opponent.

Chen Lue nodded slightly and said, “That's right, this Phantom Hero series is precisely the heroes I accidentally encountered during my dimensional exploration internship.”

He looked at the cards in his hand, and a strange light bulb appeared, shaking gently at Amakage Hikari.

“Phantom Heroes are heroes who hide in the darkness, rescuing those who are lost or victimized in the night. They can transform into images and change their appearances directly in different spaces. Therefore, there isn't a fixed base. As long as there are cameras and lights, they may exist, silently guarding ordinary humans and elves, protecting them.”

“That's really heroic.” Amakage Hikari responded.

“That's right, they are the unsung heroes guarding the world—”

“Then, you're using them in this duel, your goal is only one, right?”

“Of course, Amakage Hikari!” Chen Lue slowly clenched his fist. “Amakage Hikari, you are a strong contender for the championship, and like me, you specialize in fusion duels. You are a duelist who insists on using fusion even when the outside world slanders you.

I admire you very much, so it is precisely because of an opponent like you that it is even more worthwhile for the Phantom Heroes to make their debut!”

“The monster effect of Lone Brave, when this card is Summoned/Special Summoned, send a Phantom Hero monster other than Lone Brave from the deck to the Spell \u0026 Trap Zone as a face-up Continuous Trap Card! After this effect is activated, until the end of the turn, monsters other than 'Hero' monsters cannot be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck.”

“Come on, Phantom Hero Incrementer!”

A spotlight fell from the sky, quietly landing in his Spell \u0026 Trap Zone.

“Oh!!”

“Using a monster as a Trap Card?”

“How interesting.”

Lone Brave searching for Incrementer is a very standard opening.

Amakage Hikari stroked his chin, muttering.

He had learned before that Ed didn't have the Phantom Hero series cards, which shows that in this world, Ed's father only made Destiny Heroes for him—but considering the changes in this world, his father may very well have created Phantom Heroes for him, but life and time did not allow that gentleman to do so, so only Destiny remained.

But whether it is Destiny or Phantom, they are very important components in the Hero deck.

Especially Lone Brave and Incrementer.

“Incrementer's monster effect, when this card is used as a Continuous Trap, you can Tribute 1 'Hero' monster on your field during your Main Phase: Special Summon this card.”

Bang—

Lone Brave's light went out, its image instantly extinguished, and at the same time, the spotlight in front of Chen Lue turned on, illuminating a pitch-black figure.

Phantom Hero Incrementer, Level 3, DARK Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 900.

“Not over yet, Incrementer's effect, when this card is Special Summoned from the Spell \u0026 Trap Zone, activate this effect. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower 'Phantom Hero' monster from the deck!”

“Come on, Mimic!”

This time it was a purple light, shining on the field, transforming into a hero full of mechanical feel.

Phantom Hero Mimic, Level 4, DARK Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 1000.

“Mimic's effect, if this card is Special Summoned successfully, activate this effect. Send 1 'Hero' monster from the deck to the Graveyard. I choose Elemental Hero Necroshade.”

It ends here.

Unfortunately, this friend in front of me does not have Elemental Hero Shadow Mist or Destiny Hero Malicious.

However, if he chooses Necroshade...

“Not over yet, activate Mimic's effect! Once per turn, you can banish a Hero monster from your Graveyard: Add 1 'Fusion' from your Deck to your hand!”

“I banish Venom—”

He opened his deck and slowly added a Fusion Spell Card from the deck to his hand.

“Wow… such novel heroes.”

“Hiss… such powerful heroes.”

The audience saw this series of chains, either surprised or astonished, in short, they all had their own points of shock.

Judai, who had played dozens of Hero mirror matches recently, rarely cheered blindly when he saw these cards, but quickly analyzed the effects of these cards.

“Wait—Sky searching for Lone Brave, Lone Brave pulling Incrementer, Incrementer pulling Mimic… almost all the needed heroes can be gone through instantly.” He stroked his chin, nodding repeatedly, deeply feeling that these cards were quite useful.

Not only can it dispatch several Hero monsters, but it can also steadily get a Fusion, which is really quite good.

If there is further cooperation...

“Activate the Spell Card, Fusion!” Chen Lue also placed his Fusion into the Duel Disk. “Then, Amakage Hikari, let me show you my fusion!”

“Fuse the two Phantom Heroes on the field!”

“The fusion condition is, Hero monsters—two of them!”

“What?!”

“Wow, wait—”

“This fusion condition?”

Many people were startled when they heard this fusion condition.

Because it is not “Phantom Hero” two of them, but “Hero” two of them, which means—actually, you can use Amakage Hikari's Burst Lady and Winged Kuriboh to fuse the monster he is about to fuse!

“Hiding in the darkness, protecting the weak heroes!”

“Now, materialize and welcome the cheers that should come!”

“Fusion Summon—”

“Level 8, Phantom Hero Adoration!”

All the spotlights were directed to the same direction, countless lights shone down, a masked hero with his arms around his body and clothes wrapped in strips of cloth slowly appeared on the field.

Phantom Hero Adoration, Level 8, DARK Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 2800.

“Attack Power 2800!”

“Higher than Iron Knight!”

“I never thought that one day I would know that Winged Kuriboh and Burst Lady could fuse into a monster with this kind of attack power.”

Many people sighed.

At this time, even some viewers who had never used the Hero series deck gradually knew—Phantom Hero is really a card quite suitable for all Hero decks!

And what Chen Lue said before, everyone heard.

Judai almost instinctively jumped to the bottom of the monitor, waving at the monitor non-stop, wanting to “summon” a Phantom Hero spirit.

And not only Judai, such a big child, some people who admire heroes and like Hero decks also occasionally cast their eyes on various lighting and camera equipment they can see.

“Not over yet, the effect of Elemental Hero Necroshade in the Graveyard, this card can only be used once in the Graveyard, you can Tribute Summon 1 Level 5 or higher 'Elemental Hero' without Tributing! Normal Summon—Elemental Hero Solid Soldier!”

Clang—

The blade was unsealed, and a golden figure flipped out from behind him.

Elemental Hero Solid Soldier, Level 7, EARTH Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 2600.

“Another high-level Hero monster!”

“Wow, Mimic can do this kind of thing!”

“Oh oh oh—” Judai was originally standing under the camera, and when he saw this scene, he immediately thought of it and was overjoyed, “You can Normal Summon Neos without tribute!”

Amakage Hikari looked at this posture and couldn't help but nod.

Overall, it seems quite reasonable.

After all, without the support of the Mask or Destiny series, Phantom can only be played like this.

“Set a card and end my turn.”

“Then, my turn, draw.”

Amakage Hikari drew a card and glanced at it.

“Discard Evil Hero Infernal Gainer from my hand, and add Dark Fusion from the deck to my hand.”

“Then, Spell Card, Fusion Recovery!”

“Target 1 Fusion and 1 Fusion Material used for Fusion Summon in the Graveyard. Add those cards to your hand.”

Amakage Hikari took back Burst Lady and Fusion from the Graveyard.

“Then, Spell Card, Fusion Armament.” Amakage Hikari quickly placed another Spell Card into the back row, “Reveal 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck to your opponent, Special Summon 1 Fusion Material monster whose name is listed on that monster from your Extra Deck or Graveyard.”

He opened the Extra Deck: “Evil Hero Inferno Wing, Fusion Material, Burst Lady and Winged Kuriboh.”

“Special Summon, Winged Kuriboh!”

“Haa!” The emerald green hero made a brilliant debut.

Elemental Hero Winged Kuriboh, Level 3, WIND Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 1000.

“Today's Hikari is honestly gathering Fusion Materials and Fusion Spell Cards.”

“I thought Hikari would continue to use deck fusion.”

“He didn't even Special Summon Flame Swordsman with Fusion Armament!”

A group of students whispered.

And Judai, Ed, and those competition players who are watching the battle, at this moment, their expressions have become solemn.

“Spell Card, Fusion!” Amakage Hikari played the Spell Card in his hand.

This time, what he wants to use is not the card that [Light's Ripple] gave him.

It is the card that his other “thigh,” gave him some time ago.

“I fuse Burst Lady from my hand and Winged Kuriboh on the field!”

“What?”

“It's those two again?”

Many people exclaimed.

Chen Lue also looked at the opposite side in surprise.

This time, he should fuse Flame Wingman or something to deal damage—

“The fusion condition is, two Normal Monsters!”

“What?!”

“Could it be!”

“Another brand new fusion!!!”

The audience cheered unprecedentedly.

Because Amakage Hikari seems to be playing a very trendy thing with them today!

Using two monsters for multi-faceted fusion!

“Fusion Summon!”

“Level 9!”

“Ancient Dragon!”

“Aww!!!”

Two monsters mixed together, and then integrated into the ancient card. A giant dragon opened its mouth and roared in all directions.

Ancient Dragon, Level 9, DARK Attribute, Dragon Type, ATK 2700.

“This guy.” Kaiser looked at the screen with excitement.

“Hiss… another brand new Fusion Monster, and it's still using those two monsters!”

“Heh, that guy Amakage.” Manjoume couldn't help but smile and shake his head. “The first time in the finals, he can't help but want to announce that he's [back], right?”

Chen Lve, who was dueling with Amakage Hikaru, also felt what Amakage Hikaru was thinking. He laughed and said, "So that's how it is. You've wanted the whole world to know what you think for a long time, haven't you?"

"I'm already tired of waiting. Because of the Fusion Army, the students at school have already been troubled quite a bit. I think all over the world, there are people who have been questioned or even suspected because of using Fusion."

Amakage Hikaru looked at the camera. He met the camera's gaze, but his eyes seemed to pass through the camera and recognize countless people in the world.

He didn't know if it was Amakage Hikaru's illusion, but he could even feel that the camera was [looking] at him.

"All duelists in the world!

I, Amakage Hikaru, hereby declare that Fusion is the noblest summoning method. Regardless of whether everyone recognizes this, whether everyone likes Fusion, or whether everyone uses Fusion, there is one thing that can be recognized—Fusion is all-encompassing and ever-changing."

Amakage Hikaru clenched his fist and said to everyone, "Even the same Fusion materials can Fusion Summon several completely different heroes. Similarly, there are all kinds of people who use Fusion.

I am a duelist who pursues the ultimate Fusion. I hope to learn and study any Fusion, but this has nothing to do with my [good or evil] as a person.

By the same token—it's okay for those who silently like Fusion, those who simply want to win with Fusion, and duelists who purely like certain Fusion monsters.

I only hope that no one will label all users of Fusion because of what the Fusion Army has done.

If you want to label, then start with me first—"

In the waiting hall, a group of people who knew Amakage Hikaru couldn't help but gently support their foreheads, seemingly sighing that Amakage Hikaru had said a lot of amazing things again.

But at the same time, their smiles undoubtedly told everyone that they believed what Amakage Hikaru said was what he would do!

Chen Lve looked at Amakage Hikaru in surprise.

"Sorry, Chen-dousheng, today I'm going all out—I want the most gorgeous and decisive victory!"

"Open the set card, Trap Card, Dead Soul Fusion!"

"Exclude the Fusion materials in the graveyard to Fusion Summon!"

"Again!?"

In Amakage Hikaru's graveyard, there are only...

Winged Kuriboh and Burst Lady, Evil Hero Dark Gaia!

"Exclude Winged Kuriboh and Evil Hero Dark Gaia from the graveyard to Fusion Summon—Fusion Summon!"

"Come on, Light Attribute Fusion Hero!"

"Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman!"

The bright hero slowly flickered out, and a hero that Judai was very familiar with slowly appeared.

Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman, Level 8, Light Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2600.

"Wow, Captain, it's you!"

Golden Captain appeared beside him, looking at the "Evil Hero Dark Gaia" that Judai gave to Amakage Hikaru, and couldn't help but nod.

That's right.

"Enter the Battle Phase!"

"The monster Fusion Summoned by Dead Soul Fusion cannot attack, right? If you use a normal battle, you might win, but, unfortunately, Amakage, it seems I have one more turn to hold on—

Activate Continuous Trap Card, Call of the Haunted, revive, Vision HERO Adoration!

Vision HERO Adoration reappeared, looking particularly confident.

"Adoration... Heh, indeed, normally, with these two monsters to hold on, as long as you get through this turn, it doesn't matter even if you take damage, because you can use Increase's effect to revive it from the graveyard, and then Special Summon a monster again in the next turn, right? It's almost an endless search."

"You even know that?"

"Of course, I'm a duelist dedicated to the ultimate Fusion—so... I'll let you see my full power!"

"Quick-Play Spell Card, Form Change!"

What is this?

Many people were stunned.

Judai, who was watching the live broadcast, was suddenly shocked: "It's Form Change?"

"Target 1 [HERO] Fusion Monster you control; return that monster to the Extra Deck, then Special Summon 1 [Masked HERO] monster with the same Level but a different name from your Extra Deck by treating it as a Mask Change."

"Wh...what?" Hearing about the new [HERO], Chen Lve's speech was a little unsmooth.

Similarly, the audience watching this duel also exclaimed.

"Return Shining Flare Wingman to the Extra Deck, Special Summon—Masked HERO Koga!"

Clap clap clap clap——

Countless lights focused on Amakage Hikaru. In the few moments of the lights flashing, a hero covered in armor and with his face completely hidden appeared beside him!

Masked HERO Koga, Level 8, Light Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2500.

"Mas...Masked!?"

"So...so handsome!"

Different from the heroes everyone knew in the past, this card had a completely different handsomeness. More importantly, this was another Fusion Monster that could be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck without [Fusion]!

"Amakage that guy—hahaha——" Manjoume couldn't help but laugh.

"Ha, after using serious Fusion for so long, he finally returned to the initial Fusion tactics." Kaiser's lips curled up.

This was the Amakage Hikaru they were familiar with!

All-round Fusion!

Never confined to just one type of Fusion!

A duelist who forever explores and believes in Fusion!

"Koga gains 500 ATK for each monster your opponent controls!"

"Ugh, bad——"

Koga, ATK: 2500 → 3500.

Chen Lve quickly turned around in his mind and barely breathed a sigh of relief.

Actually, it's okay.

Although he saw a different hero, Chen Lve was, after all, using a HERO deck with Special HERO, so he wouldn't panic so easily.

"Also, once per turn, Koga can banish 1 [HERO] from your GY, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; it loses ATK equal to the banished monster's ATK until the end of this turn—this effect can be activated during your opponent's turn!"

"It's an effect similar to Adoration!"

"Wow, Vision and Masked are all masked heroes who hide themselves!"

"Crap——in that case!"

"Banish Burst Lady!" Amakage Hikaru declared as usual.

Koga's tooth-equipped weapons aimed at Golden Divine.

Golden Divine ATK, 2600 → 1400.

"Battle, attack Golden Divine with Koga!"

Koga rushed in front of his colleague in a few steps, then suddenly jumped back, leaped high, and kicked Golden Divine with his long legs.

"Boom!"

Chen Lve, LP, 4000 → 1900.

"At this moment, the effects of the Vision HERO in the graveyard activate. When I take battle or effect damage, they can be placed in the Spell \u0026 Trap Zone as Continuous Trap Cards."

"Increase!"

A light fell and hit his field.

Although he didn't know if he could use it in the next turn, he did it anyway.

What if?

What if the two Fusion Monsters on the other side couldn't attack directly?

Amakage Hikaru shook his head gently.

"Then, Steel Knight attacks Adoration directly!"

"Huh?"

"What?"

A burst of exclamations arose from the audience.

"Steel Knight's monster effect, once per turn, when this card battles an opponent's monster, during damage calculation: You can banish 1 Spell from your GY; this card gains ATK equal to half its DEF until the end of this turn!"

"Huh?"

Chen Lve was shocked.

"I banish Fusion Recovery from the graveyard, increasing Steel Knight's ATK—half of its DEF, which is 800 points!"

Steel Knight, ATK: 2700 → 3500.

He gently raised the battle axe in his hand and swiped past Adoration again. Adoration's figure disappeared from the field like a bubble.

Chen Lve, LP: 1900 → 1200.

"So... I see, even if I didn't activate the effect last turn, Adoration wouldn't battle and destroy Steel Knight?"

He murmured for a while, then couldn't help but shake his head.

With such a "pathfinder", they Fusion duelists should be happy.

It's just a pity—it's really a bit difficult to win the championship's most favorable competitor right from the start.

"Finally, Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem attacks directly!"

Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem slowly flew up, swept over the opponent's head, gently flapped its wings, rolled up a whirlwind, and cleared Chen Lve's last LP.

"Winner, Amakage Hikaru——"