Lightning and thunder swarmed around the vortex of Xyz Change. Endless flashes converged at this moment, freezing in the void to form the words "SNO.39."

A brand-new form of Utopia that had never appeared in the anime timeline, brought forth by the Timeline Shift—and a top-tier powerhouse that had once become a wildly popular generic staple even in the real card game environment.

SNO.39: Number 39: Hope - Lightning Emperor!

[SNO.39: Number 39: Hope - Lightning Emperor, ATK 2500]

"L-Lightning Emperor?" Jellyfish Monster was already beginning to sense danger.

What was going on? This wasn't what they had agreed on!

What was Lightning Emperor? Why had no one ever told him Yuma Tsukumo had a card like this in his hand?

No, there was no need to panic. No matter how flashy this new form was, it only had 2500 attack points. It was completely manageable.

That's right, there was nothing to fear. His Invisible Jellyfish could split and regenerate whether destroyed by battle or Effect Destruction. It was immortal. And if anything went wrong, he still had the invincible defensive Trap, "Sakuretsu Armor," Set in his Back Row. Chaos Numbers, Shining Numbers, Utopia—whatever they were, he could just blow them all up.

Jellyfish Monster tugged at the corner of his mouth, suppressing that trace of unease as confidence returned to his eyes.

Of course, that confidence probably lasted only three to five seconds.

"The bonds between Astral and me have given us new power! Watch closely!" Yuma shouted. "SNO.39: Number 39: Hope - Lightning Emperor, attack 'NO.4 Poison Sting Cell: Invisible Jellyfish'!"

"It's useless, did you forget?" Jellyfish Monster burst into laughter. "My Invisible Jellyfish is immortal! No matter how many times it's destroyed, it can Special Summon its juvenile form, and when the juvenile form is destroyed, it can Special Summon the original again. It never ends!"

"But even if a Monster is immortal, a duelist's life has limits!" Astral cut