Rafael, leader of the Doma Three Musketeers and the man ranked directly beneath Dartz within the organization, had been standing at the edge of the highway railing with his arms folded and his eyes closed. Now, he slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the figure approaching from afar.
"Yo."
Kira walked over at an unhurried pace and casually waved at him. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought the two were old acquaintances who had not met in years.
Rafael frowned slightly. "Who are you?"
Rafael found it strange. He had sensed someone approaching from this direction long ago, but he had assumed it would be The Nameless Pharaoh. With the aid of Orichalcos, he had vaguely sensed a faint presence, one similar to that of a Millennium Item. It should have been the Pharaoh.
But the young man now standing before him was clearly not the Pharaoh, and Rafael did not recall ever seeing him in the intelligence Doma currently possessed.
"Sorry, the Pharaoh had business to handle and couldn't make it, so I'm filling in." Kira smiled and displayed the Duel Disk on his arm. "Rafael, leader of the Doma Three Musketeers. I've heard much about you. I've wanted to test myself against you for a while too."
Rafael frowned and hesitated for several seconds before unfolding his Doma-issued standard Duel Disk. Its lights came on, and steel-lined illumination lit up around every Monster Zone.
"Fine. Whoever you are, my mission is merely to maintain this Seal." Rafael spoke calmly. "Before long, everyone within this Seal will become Tributes for the ultimate ritual."
Kira interrupted, "To revive that Sleazy Snake of Orichalcos, right?"
Rafael was startled, seemingly surprised that this person knew so much.
"Don't be too surprised. I'm just a passing duelist. But you're right—your