Fusion is the noblest form of summoning!

“My turn.”

Hikari Amagi drew a card and saw Ancient Gear Fusion.

The appearance of this card was within his expectations.

Summoning a Majin on the first turn and Ultimate Golem on the second turn was his common strategy when playing the Ancient Gear deck.

But that's definitely not possible now.

He looked at the cards in his hand.

“Activate the effect of Fossil Fusion in the graveyard.”

“Oh?”

“Return Fossil Fusion to the deck, shuffle the deck, and then draw a card.”

So it's a card to draw cards.

Hikari took another look at the cards in his hand.

Hmm...

“Activate the magic card, Ancient Gear Fusion!” He looked at the field and said, “This card can use the Ancient Gear Golem on the field and cards in the deck to Fusion Summon an Ancient Gear Fusion Monster.

I will fuse the Ancient Gear Golem on the field with the Ancient Gear Beast and Ancient Gear Synthesizer in the deck to Fusion Summon, Level 10, Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem!”

Countless mechanical parts gathered from afar, and the ancient robot began to frantically add one piece of equipment after another, finally transforming into a brand-new form.

Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem, Level 10, Earth Attribute, Machine Type, Attack Power 4400, Defense Power 3400.

Ultimate Golem, ATK: 4400 → 1000.

“Hiss... The Ultimate Golem with over 4000 attack power suddenly has only 1000 attack power.”

“That big truck is amazing.”

When the big truck appeared earlier, the audience was still thinking that its attack power of 2100 wasn't that high.

Now it seems that 2100 is actually very high!

Any higher, and normal monsters wouldn't be able to break through it!

However, Hikari Amagi also has a normal way to destroy it in battle.

But compared to destroying it, Hikari personally prefers to deal with it by other means.

Because when the Fossil Fusion Monster on the field is destroyed by battle or effect, the Fossil Fusion in the graveyard can be returned to the hand.

Although he doesn't know if Jim has any Fossil Fusion in his graveyard, if possible, he would definitely prefer to handle it rather than destroy it.

In that case, let's take a look first.

“Normal Summon, Golden Idol.”

The Golden Idol crossed its arms, holding a cup, and slowly appeared.

It had already struck a pose, waiting for Hikari Amagi to summon it.

Since being summoned once after returning from the Magical Academy, it has been looking forward to whether it can appear again in the future. As expected, this time it appeared in Hikari-sama's hands, and Hikari-sama really used it.

It was worth it for posing for so long.

Golden Idol, Level 1, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster Type, Attack Power 0.

“Wow, it's the Golden Idol.”

“Is he going to summon Thousand-Eyes Restrict?”

“That's so cool, that's the legendary Pegasus's ace!”

That's exactly what Hikari Amagi was thinking.

But before that, he still has to see what Jim has in his hand.

“Activate the effect of the Golden Idol, once per turn, look at the opponent's hand. Until the end of the turn, this card's name is treated as Thousand-Eyes Idol.”

Jim had already guessed what Hikari Amagi wanted to do, but he didn't mind, showing the two cards in his hand. At the same time, the huge three-dimensional image of the entire duel field also showed the two cards to all the spectators.

“Fossil Fusion and Burial from a Different Dimension?” Hikari looked at them and frowned slightly.

As expected, he has Fossil Fusion.

But—

Even so, Hikari didn't want Jim to return a Fossil Fusion for nothing.

“Activate the magic card, Fusion!” Hikari lightly showed his hand, “Fuse the Level 1 Thousand-Eyes Idol on the field and the Relinquished in my hand, Special Summon, Level 1 Fusion Monster, Thousand-Eyes Restrict!”

The Idol slowly turned black, its body began to tear, gradually becoming distorted, and transformed into a dark evil god.

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, Level 1, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster Type, Attack Power 0.

“Oh oh oh!! Perfect!” Anzu excitedly cheered in the revival team, “It's the president's card!”

Although Hikari Amagi really wanted to win with Professor's card, this big truck is indeed a bit unfriendly to Ancient Gear monsters.

But it should be fine.

At least let Professor's card participate.

“Activate the effect of the Golden Idol! When this card is banished or sent to the graveyard by an effect, target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; equip that card to a "Relinquished" monster you control that cannot be Normal Summoned, and the equipped monster gains ATK equal to that monster's ATK. Devour the Skull Truck and equip it as an Equip Card, increasing its attack power!”

Thousand-Eyes Restrict aimed at the Skull-shaped Otherworld Transport Truck, its eyes emitting a purple light. The eyes in the dinosaur's head of the truck were bewitched by the purple light, and then it swayed and flew over. Although this way it will inevitably be destroyed in battle, he can consider using Thousand-Eyes Restrict's effect next turn to devour another monster.

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK: 0→2100.

“Battle, directly attack with Thousand-Eyes Restrict!”

“Oh, wait—at this time, I activate the trap card, Intimidation Howl!” Jim lightly tilted his hat and casually said, “This turn, your opponent cannot declare an attack.”

Roar————

A phantom of a lion appeared on the field, roaring and ending the battle.

“I see, it's a card that even Ancient Gear series monsters can't stop.” Hikari Amagi nodded.

He thought it was Blast Armor!

In the original work, Jim really used Blast Armor. He was thinking that even if Jim set Blast Armor, he shouldn't dare to use it. After all, if he used it, Thousand-Eyes Idol would be destroyed, and he could win with Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem.

That would be a pretty cool finishing blow.

Moreover, if he didn't use it and prepared to take the damage head-on, Hikari also wanted to secretly use the Aleister in his hand to kill him.

Too bad, the little trick didn't work.

Hikari pondered for a while, confirmed that there were no problems, and ended the turn.

“My turn! Draw!” Jim drew a card and glanced at it.

“Magic card, Pot of Greed.” He immediately activated it and drew two cards.

The first card.

Monster Reborn.

His eyes lit up slightly.

Next card—

Here it comes!!

He looked at the exaggerated card, his pupils shrinking sharply.

“Alright, Amagi, it seems it's time to end this!”

“Oh? Could it be that you drew that [super strong card] you mentioned?”

“That's right!” Jim smiled lightly, “With this card, perhaps we can show something even more interesting—dueling is about understanding each other and becoming friends with each other!”

Really, really?

Hikari didn't expect Jim to say that.

In the original work, Jim was a person who would go to great lengths for his friends. After seeing Judai fall into the darkness and close himself off, he was even willing to risk his life to use the Eye of Orichalcos to awaken Judai.

Although he failed in the end, he still entrusted the Eye of Orichalcos to Obrien before his death, hoping that he could use it to save Judai. As for himself, he didn't care even if he died.

So, it's normal for him to say something like that.

He just didn't expect that he hadn't said much to Jim, hadn't known him for long, and Jim believed him so much just because he had helped Judai.

“Activate the magic card, Burial from a Different Dimension. This card can return up to three of your own/your opponent's banished monsters to the graveyard. Return all three of my banished Fossil monsters to the graveyard.”

“Then, activate Fossil Fusion!” On Jim's field, the huge Fossil Stone Slab slowly floated up, and on Hikari's field, the mechanical sound was endless.

“I remember that Ultimate Golem has the effect of reviving Ancient Gear Golem in the graveyard when it is destroyed, right? Then, let's use Ancient Gear Golem as a fusion material to Fusion Summon!”

“Ha, this doesn't sound like [Fusion of Friendship]!”

“Friendship is friendship, but the competition still has to be decided—activate the effect of Fossil Fusion, banish the Flint Craggle and your Ancient Gear Golem with 7 or more stars in the graveyard, and Fusion Summon!”

“The giant dinosaur of the Paleozoic era!”

“Transform into the power to guard the earth, appear!”

“Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skullgios!”

A genuine dinosaur fossil swung its long fossil tail, roaring as it appeared.

Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skullgios, Level 8, Earth Attribute, Rock Type, Attack Power 3500.

“Attack Power 3500?”

“It's definitely higher than Blue-Eyes White Dragon, but neither Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem nor Thousand-Eyes Restrict can handle it, right?”

The audience was puzzled.

“Indeed, just like they said, Paleozoic Fossil Dragon has no way to deal with Thousand-Eyes Restrict.” Daichi Misawa nodded in the special seat, “Thousand-Eyes Restrict has the ability to lock down all other monsters on the field from attacking and changing their battle positions.”

“Yes, if there is no way to deal with Thousand-Eyes Restrict, you can't attack at all.” Manjoume also nodded.

The summoning of this Skullgios really confused them.

“Then, magic card, Monster Reborn—”

“Eh?” “Monster Reborn?” “This… is it right?”

Now, not to mention the audience, even the big guys in the special seats were dumbfounded.

Who can Monster Reborn revive?

Ancient Gear monsters, but their attack power is just so-so. Not to mention that Ancient Gear monsters cannot be Special Summoned, even if they could, they couldn't deal with Thousand-Eyes Restrict.

“You wouldn't want to revive Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon, would you?” Hikari thought of a possibility and couldn't help but ask.

“Haha—that's right, what I want to revive is your Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon!”

Unlike Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem, which can only be Fusion Summoned, Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon can be revived with cards like Monster Reborn.

“Oh! Indeed, Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon is unaffected by other effects and can attack…” Daichi Misawa suddenly realized.

“But, its attack power is only 1000!” Manjoume shook his head, “Even if Thousand-Eyes Restrict doesn't have high attack power, it still has 2100.”

Manjoume then hesitated and said, “Perhaps… he has other ideas that we don't know yet?”

“Hikari Amagi, what is he doing?” Even Tierra couldn't help but be curious and asked Hikari Amagi, puzzled.

Hikari Amagi touched his chin, thinking and pondering, and suddenly thought of something: “Could it be that thing?”

“Now, all the preparations are ready, Amagi-kun!” Jim had excitement on his face as he held a card in his hand, looking at it with one eye, “For you, dueling is fusion, but for me, dueling is not just fusion—so sorry, you may be the strongest fusion user, but I want to become a stronger duelist.

I want to use stronger cards to embrace a more beautiful earth—

Offer the two monsters on the field as tributes!”

Hikari Amagi gasped.

“Huh?” “What is he doing?”

A group of people also exclaimed.

Suddenly, a ray of starlight suddenly replaced the sunlight, even in this Spirit World, it seemed very beautiful and mysterious.

“Aww!!!” Karen the crocodile saw that Jim finally summoned this monster and couldn't help but howl, looking very excited.

“Tribute Summon, Tyrant Neptune!”

Oh my god—

Along with Jim's cry, starlight descended, and a humanoid crocodile slowly appeared.

He was wearing silver-white armor, holding a terrifying and sharp giant scythe in his hands, his eyes glowing with golden light, looking like a demon in the darkness.

Tyrant Neptune, Level 10, Water Attribute, Reptile Type, Attack Power 0.

“Tyrant Neptune?”

“A card I've never heard of.”

“And the attack power is 0…”

A group of spectators had never heard of this thing.

“Eh, Neptune?” Judai said in surprise in front of the big screen, “Tyrant Neptune, sounds quite similar to Elemental Hero Neos.”

Can this monster change the situation?

Hikari Amagi sweated slightly.

It really is a [super strong card].

And it really is Jim's card—

“Tyrant Neptune's attack power/defense power is the combined value of the monsters tributed for its summon.”

Tyrant Neptune, ATK: 0→4500.

“Wow! It's equivalent to Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon—”

“But, it still can't attack, right? What's the use of having attack power exceeding Ultimate Golem?”

“Aww—” Beside him, Karen had climbed onto Jim's body, raising her paws behind him, howling and shouting to the stage, looking very excited.

“Ah, don't worry, Karen, I'll say it right away.”

Jim smiled softly.

Karen seemed to like this card very much—because Jim usually uses a Fossil deck, which is more of a card he personally likes, but this Neptune, not only Jim likes it, but even Karen the crocodile likes it very much.

After all, Tyrant Neptune is also a crocodile!

“Tyrant Neptune's effect, when this card is Tribute Summoned successfully, choose 1 Effect Monster in the graveyard that was tributed; this card's name becomes that monster's, and it gains the same effects!”

Jim pointed to Hikari Amagi's graveyard: “This effect, you can even choose from your graveyard.”

Hikari Tenjo frowned and nodded.

Indeed.

"So, I need to gain the effect of the Ancient Mechanical Deity!"

Tyrant Neptune → Ancient Mechanical Deity.

"Wow!"

"Oh!!!"

Several duelists in the special seats suddenly understood.

Which means—

Tyrant Neptune has become an ultimate monster with 4500 attack points, unaffected by other card effects, and can inflict 1000 points of damage to the opponent once per turn???

"More importantly—Tyrant Neptune, unaffected by other card effects, can attack!" Manjoume stood up in surprise.

Jim hadn't finished his turn yet, and he activated a card in the graveyard: "Just in case, I activate the effect of Time Stream in the graveyard to banish it and one Fossil Fusion monster from the graveyard to Special Summon a Fossil Fusion monster from the graveyard. This effect cannot be activated the turn this card is sent to the graveyard.

I banish Neo-Generation Fossil Knight from the graveyard to revive Paleozoic Fossil Dragon!"

"Aww!!!"

"Battle!" Jim exclaimed excitedly, pointing at Thousand-Eyes Restrict on the field, "Attack with Tyrant Neptune!

Although Thousand-Eyes Restrict can negate the attacks of monsters on the field, Tyrant Neptune absorbed the effect of your monster, so it can attack!"

"Crap!"

Manjoume stood up abruptly: "If this attack goes through, Tenjo will lose!"

Although he would only lose 2400 life points, Hikari Tenjo only has 3000 life points. After the battle, as long as Tyrant Neptune activates its effect, Hikari Tenjo will lose immediately!

Because there's no way to stop Tyrant Neptune—

"At this moment, I activate the effect of Summoner Aleister in my hand, discarding it to increase the attack and defense of a Fusion Monster on the field by 1000!"

Hikari Tenjo quickly sent the card in his hand to the graveyard.

Thousand-Eyes Restrict, ATK: 2100→3100.

But—

Still not enough!

Tyrant Neptune swung its huge scythe, smashing the Evil God into pieces with a bang!

Hikari Tenjo LP: 3000→1600.

"Ha, as expected—" Jim smirked, "Luckily, I revived Skull Crobat Joker. If you didn't Fusion Summon, you could just retrieve that Aleister next turn and use Ancient Mechanical Ultimate Giant to battle and destroy Neptune.

But, that's not possible now—Skull Crobat Joker attacks Ancient Mechanical Ultimate Giant!"

"What?"

"The Ultimate Giant's attack power is higher!"

"Naive!" Jim shouted, "Skull Crobat Joker's effect activates before damage calculation when this card battles an opponent's monster. The attack and defense of that monster are switched until the end of the turn!"

"The Ultimate Giant's defense is 3400!" Misawa immediately announced the number.

"Which means it's lower than Skull Crobat Joker?" Another spectator exclaimed.

Ancient Mechanical Ultimate Giant, ATK: 4400→3400.

Skull Crobat Joker bit into the Ultimate Giant's waist, tearing and ripping it apart into two sections.

Hikari Tenjo LP: 1600→1500.

"Main Phase 2, activate Tyrant Neptune's effect to inflict 1000 points of damage to the opponent!"

Tyrant Neptune's eyes glowed red, aiming at Hikari Tenjo. Hikari Tenjo felt a dizzy spell, and the familiar sensation appeared once again.

The power of Darkness!?

He covered his waist, feeling slightly pained.

He looked up at Tyrant Neptune and Jim.

No, it's just a slight residue. This card seems to be sealed—and the sealing power is the power of Darkness.

He couldn't sort out the cause and effect for a moment.

"End of turn." Jim breathed a sigh of relief.

Hikari Tenjo gently rubbed his forehead and then stood up.

"Only 500 life points left."

"If he can't deal with Neptune this turn, Tenjo will lose next turn!"

"A Fusion user lost to another person who uses Fusion?"

"Didn't you hear that guy say that Hikari Tenjo is the strongest Fusion user, he just uses Fusion. After all, look at his trump card, it's not a Fusion Monster at all!"

Some spectators couldn't help but argue.

In the special seats, several of Hikari Tenjo's friends couldn't help but worry about him.

Judai and the others, who were watching the duel live, exclaimed in surprise.

Jim is so strong?

"Ugh... my turn." Hikari Tenjo drew a card.

He thought for a moment and couldn't help but sigh: "I originally wanted to let everyone know more about Professor Chronos in this duel."

The professor, who was watching the live broadcast, was tearful and kept chanting Hikari Tenjo's name. Some teachers who were watching with him looked at his back with envy.

"Is that so?" Jim responded, "Sorry, but I think he wouldn't mind."

"It's precisely because he doesn't mind that I want to show the Ancient Mechanical deck. I hope everyone can understand that the Ancient Mechanical is not a sinful deck." Hikari Tenjo rubbed his hair, "But I think he would rather not have me lose because of this, or have him think that he caused me to lose or something.

So—Jim, I'm going to use what you said to strike back at you."

What I said?

Jim was a little puzzled.

"Activate the Magic Card, Fusion Armament! Show the opponent 1 Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck, and Special Summon 1 Fusion Material Monster with that monster's name from the Extra Deck/Graveyard! The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot attack and has its effects negated until the end of the opponent's turn!"

The images of Flame Swordsman and Black Flame Knight appeared throughout the duel field.

Seeing these familiar images, everyone who supported Hikari Tenjo suddenly felt much more relaxed.

This is the safety and confidence that Flame Swordsman and Hikari Tenjo gave them.

"I show Invoked Earth, and revive Aleister in the graveyard!"

Summoner Aleister, Level 4, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster, Attack Power 1000.

"Then, Normal Summon—Predaplant Sundew Kinmoth!"

Predaplant Sundew Kinmoth, Level 2, Dark Attribute, Plant, Attack Power 600.

"What are these two monsters for?"

"Uh, you ask me, how would I know."

"Ah, they're Dark Attribute monsters!" Misawa Daichi recognized them.

"What?" Manjoume asked in confusion.

"Activate Sundew Kinmoth's effect!"

"During my Main Phase, it can fuse with a monster in my hand or on the field to Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster!"

"The Fusion Material is two Dark Attribute monsters other than Tokens on the field."

"O Wing of Fusion that seeks fusion, now, wave everything and embrace all the [Fusion]!"

"Fusion Summon, my wings!"

"Level 8—"

"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!"

The eerie and beautiful dragon vibrated its purple light wings, floating slowly and gracefully behind Hikari Tenjo.

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, Level 8, Dark Attribute, Dragon, Attack Power 2800. Defense Power 2000.

"Woo-awu————" This time, the Fusion Dragon shouted louder and brighter than ever before.

"Starving Venom... [Fusion] Dragon?" Jim blinked, stunned.

"Wow, a dragon with [Fusion] in its name!"

"It's a Fusion Monster called Fusion!"

"So, so cool—"

Although it looks fierce, it appears very bright and sacred under Hikari Tenjo's control.

"If Fusion Dragon is successfully Fusion Summoned: Target 1 Special Summoned monster your opponent controls; this card gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK, until the end of this turn."

Hikari Tenjo pointed at Skull Crobat Joker: "I choose Skull Crobat Joker!"

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, ATK: 2800→6300.

"Its attack power exceeds Neptune's!"

"Moreover, with this effect, doesn't that mean it will always have higher attack power than the opponent if it's a Fusion Monster!?"

Some familiar people mentioned another effect of Fusion Dragon like counting family assets – If this Fusion Summoned card is destroyed: Destroy all Special Summoned monsters your opponent controls.

"But it's useless? Not to mention Neptune is a Tribute Summoned monster, even with 6300 attack power, there's no way, right? After all, attacking Tyrant Neptune will only deal 1800 damage at most. Next turn, Skull Crobat Joker attacks Fusion Dragon, 3500 vs 2000, Hikari Tenjo will lose!"

Yeah—

Many people suddenly realized.

"...Those are just some expressions of Fusion Dragon." Hikari Tenjo shook his hand softly, "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon's monster effect, activate!"

Huh?!

It still has an effect!!??

"Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls; until the end of this turn, this card's name becomes that monster's original name, and replace this card's effect with that monster's original effects."

"What!" Jim was shocked, "Isn't this the same effect as Tyrant Neptune."

"That's right! This is the power of Fusion Dragon!" Hikari Tenjo looked at Skull Crobat Joker and smiled, "Jim, it seems like you said, for you, this duel is not only a duel, but also a fusion of friendship—

That's right, the fusion of friendship is also a part of fusion!

Just like you fuse our graveyard's monsters! Like copying my Fusion Monster effects!

Activate Starving Venom Fusion Dragon's effect to gain Skull Crobat Joker's effect!"

"All Creation is One!"

Fusion Dragon opened its wings, and countless purple lines enveloped Skull Crobat Joker, then reclaimed its power.

Crap!

Jim was shocked.

Starving Venom Fusion Dragon → Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skull Crobat Joker.

"Battle, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon attacks Tyrant Neptune!"

"Huh! Wait, Hikari Tenjo, why—" Tierra was the first to question.

Isn't it better to attack that Skull Crobat Joker!?

Don't you have the effect to reverse its attack power? That Skull Crobat Joker has 0 defense!

Not only him, the spectators and duelists in the special seats also expressed the same doubts.

And the only ones who knew why were Jim, who had his effect copied, and Hikari Tenjo, who was attacking: "It's to attack Neptune to respond to Jim—to respond to your words about fusing each other's friendship and power! Go, Jim! Skull Crobat Joker's effect, the battle damage inflicted by this Fusion Summoned card when it battles an opponent's monster becomes double!"

"Although your Skull Crobat Joker is Special Summoned with a Magic Card, my Fusion Dragon is Fusion Summoned!"

Hikari Tenjo clenched his fist excitedly.

"So, Fusion Dragon attacks your Neptune, dealing double damage!"

Jim gently covered his hat and nodded slowly: "Amazing, you even know this effect."

"Attack, Fusion Dragon—Fusion Destruction Light Stream!"

Fusion Dragon unfolded its huge purple light wings and let out an excited cry.

Countless purple rays of light shot out from its wings, landing on Tyrant Neptune and piercing through it.

Jim, LP: 2400→0.