"Unbelievable, officer!"
Kira was sitting in the Security Maintenance Bureau Director's office. Before him, a projection displayed Doctor Akutsu in a lab coat, his expression exaggerated and his shrill voice brimming with excitement.
"Ever since the duel between Fudo Yusei and Jack Atlas at the Duel Hall that night—the one you told me to keep an eye on—Mo~Ment's operation has reached an incredible peak!"
Moment was the name of the Perpetual Motion Machine that now served as the heart of New Domino City. Located beneath KaibaCorp's facilities, it supplied the entire city with an inexhaustible source of energy.
The person currently speaking with Kira was Doctor Akutsu, the head of the Moment division. Akutsu was a prodigious genius in Perpetual Motion Machine research, obsessed with its development to the point of fanaticism. Whenever he said "Moment," he always dragged out the syllables, as though doing so could convey his affection for it.
"The numbers have dropped somewhat these past few days, but they're still wonderfully beautiful," Akutsu said excitedly. "I have a feeling our research into Moment may achieve another brand-new breakthrough very soon!"
"Mm, perhaps. The Fortune Cup will begin in a few days."
Kira spoke to him calmly.
"Moment will probably show an even more obvious reaction then. Keep a close watch on its operating condition at all times, and report any fluctuations to me immediately."
Akutsu snapped to attention. "Understood, officer!"
Moment's operation was closely tied to card games, and the duels of the Signers could greatly stimulate a surge in Moment's energy. Within certain limits, abundant energy was naturally a good thing. But if it exceeded its capacity, it might trigger another Zero Reverse tragedy. It would not be strange if the entire city were blown away.
With the Fortune Cup approaching, a few Signers alone