The Protagonist of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Might Be the Same Person

"But... Jonouchi, you're such a disaster!"

Mai slapped Jonouchi on the back.

"Ouch... What the heck, Mai, are you making fun of me?"

Jonouchi complained.

"Let's go, Mokuba."

Seeing that the situation was resolved, President Kaiba prepared to leave with his brother.

"Kaiba..."

Yugi couldn't help but call out to the President.

"I'll be waiting for you at the finals venue in Duel City!"

With that, the President and Mokuba gradually disappeared from Yugi's sight.

The next morning.

"Nii-sama! Yugi and the others have arrived!"

As Mokuba spoke, Yugi's friends and family entered the Duelist Kingdom arena shown on the Puzzle Card.

"This is the venue for the finals, but it's still under construction!?"

"Are we really going to duel here!?"

Everyone was somewhat doubtful.

However, Yugi didn't overthink it; he trusted that the President had other preparations.

Soon, Yugi, Jonouchi, and Mai received their room keys from the staff and registered for the quarterfinals.

Afterward, other participants also began to enter the venue.

"You bastard, I will absolutely never forgive you!"

Jonouchi's expression turned as if he were about to throw a punch upon seeing the man before him.

"Do you want to be controlled again?"

The tall man, wearing a standard Gryus cloak, calmly said to Jonouchi.

"Although I want to take care of you right here, I'm going to defeat you fair and square with my monsters later, so be prepared!"

Jonouchi said angrily.

"As the host of this tournament, Marik, I could disqualify you right now, but I'm not doing so because I want to defeat you and obtain the God Cards!"

The President arrogantly declared war on the man who appeared to be Marik.

"That's right! Nii-sama will get revenge for everyone!"

Mokuba chimed in from the side.

'Marik' then ignored the noisy group of protagonists and quietly registered for the tournament with the staff.

However, Yugi felt something was off.

"Hey! Other Me! Don't you think that 'Marik's' voice sounds strange!?"

Yugi turned to the King of Games for confirmation.

"AIBO!?"

The King of Games hadn't noticed this issue.

"Compared to him, that man named 'Nam' seems more like Marik."

Yugi looked at the person who had gotten along well with Jonouchi and the others since arriving. Furthermore, Jonouchi and the others had mentioned that after this Egyptian helped the injured Bakura, Gryus appeared. An Egyptian appearing when Gryus was present was quite suspicious, as if he were deliberately approaching them.

"Now that you mention it, he does seem suspicious..."

The King of Games considered it and agreed that it was quite coincidental.

"And Bakura seems a bit off too."

Yugi then looked at the white-haired boy standing with his companions.

"You mean?"

The King of Games also looked at Bakura.

"He's still participating in the tournament despite his injured arm, and he's even obtained six Puzzle Cards..."

At this point, the King of Games understood Yugi's meaning.

"Are you saying the dark personality is the one standing here!?"

As he said this, the King of Games also became somewhat wary.

With seven participants, they waited a while longer. Seeing that no one else was coming, President Kaiba waved his hand and summoned an airship!

This was the true location for the finals, prepared by President Kaiba.

Those holding room keys boarded the Duel Airship without issue, and the group of friends and family also boarded after Mokuba ordered the staff to let them through.

After all the participants boarded the airship, the staff prepared to close the doors.

Just then, a dark-skinned woman arrived fashionably late, bringing the total number of top-eight contestants to complete.

Chapter 22: The First Match

In the hall, everyone gathered around the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon-themed bingo machine used to assign opponents.

"The participants for the first match are... Duel Number Six, Bakura!"

Referee Isino announced as soon as the first number dropped, and the bingo machine continued to select.

"Bakura's opponent is... Duel Number Three, Yugi Muto!"

The first match was between Yugi and Bakura.

"Eeeh~! I have to duel Yugi-kun!? This is troublesome..."

Bakura put on a troubled expression.

"Bakura..."

At this moment, the King of Games looked at Bakura, observing him.

Soon, the King of Games and Bakura, led by Isino, took the central elevator to the Duel Airship's custom arena, the "Sky Duel Arena," which was set up at the very top of the airship.

The duel platform rose after the King of Games and Bakura took their positions.

"Is this the Sky Duel Arena!?"

"It's so cold..."

"You want us to duel in a place where the wind will beat down on us!?"

Yugi's friends and family were a bit confused.

"The Duel Airship is currently at an altitude of one thousand meters. The sudden air currents will be like blades, inflicting pain that feels like it's tearing the body apart onto the duelists. The finals will be conducted under these harsh conditions!"

This was probably just to satisfy President Kaiba's chuunibyou soul.

Returning to the duel platform.

"You can drop the act now! You're not Bakura, are you!?"

The King of Games suddenly questioned him.

"Hmph hmph hmph hmph..."

At this moment, the two tufts of white hair on the sides of "Bakura's" forehead stood up, defying the laws of Newtonian physics, like a pair of white rabbit ears.

"You are the dark inhabitant residing within the Millennium Ring..."

After the King of Games finished speaking, the Millennium Ring appeared on "Bakura's" chest.

"Yugi, this is the first time I've dueled you like this since the Dark Game in Duelist Kingdom!"

Dark Bakura said nonchalantly.

"You've manipulated Bakura again, what do you want? You want my Millennium Puzzle, don't you?"

The King of Games continued to question him.

"Hmph, what do you think... Yugi, I have only one reason for participating in this tournament, and that is the God Cards you possess!"

Upon hearing this answer, both the King of Games and Yugi felt something was off.

"It's a simple matter. For someone who wants to conquer the gaming world, to obtain the title of King of Games by conquering this strongest tournament, isn't it only natural!?"

Despite Dark Bakura's statement, the King of Games and Yugi still couldn't believe him. In their eyes, Dark Bakura must have another motive.

"No matter what his objective is, we must defeat him and rescue Bakura-kun! Please, Other Me!"

Yugi pleaded behind the King of Games.

"Yeah! I know, because Bakura is also my comrade!"

Responding to Yugi's plea, the King of Games deployed his Duel Disk.

"Now, we will begin the first match of the Duel Airship Final Elimination Tournament, Duel!"

As Isino announced the start, the Duel Disks of the King of Games and Dark Bakura began to count.

[Yugi Muto: LP4000]

[Bakura: LP4000]

"I'll go first, draw!"

[Bakura Hand: 5 → 6]

"I summon [Hidden in the Painting] in attack mode from my hand."

A painting appeared on Bakura's field, and a demon emerged from it.

[Hidden in the Painting: ATK 1200]

[Bakura Hand: 6 → 5]

"My turn ends."

Bakura simply ended his turn.

"My turn, draw!"

[Yugi Muto Hand: 5 → 6]

"I summon [Skilled Dark Magician] in attack mode from my hand."

A magician holding a staff topped with a black orb materialized on Yugi's field.

[Skilled Dark Magician: ATK 1900]

An illustration is available here; check the updated version.

Then, the King inserted another card from his hand into his Duel Disk.

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell [Robe of the Dark Magician] to equip it to [Skilled Dark Magician]. For each Spell or Trap Card on my field, the equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF."

[Skilled Dark Magician: ATK 1900 → 2400]

"And according to [Skilled Dark Magician]'s effect."

As long as this card remains in the Monster Zone, place 1 Magic Counter on this card each time you or your opponent activates a Spell Card (max. 3).

The black orb on the shoulder of Skilled Dark Magician lit up.

[Skilled Dark Magician: Magic Counters 0 → 1]