Did I fast forward?

It was over.

As soon as Noah flipped his card face-down, Yu Ming received a notification from the System:

Congratulations, Host, for defeating the duelist 'Noah Kaiba'. You have gained 100 Duel Points from this duel.

Of course, he wasn't surprised by the outcome itself.

The unnerfed Crush Card Virus and Magic Deck Devastation Virus were devastating in their ability to destroy cards in hand and on the field.

And Dimension Fusion could truly decide the match. As a "criminal" who had been banned early in the meta in his previous life, its effect was:

"Pay 2000 Life Points. Both players can Special Summon as many of their banished monsters as possible."

This meant that unless a card had specific summoning conditions, you could summon it by just paying 2000 LP.

Though Yu Ming didn't have cards like "Chaos Sorcerer" or "Mass Driver," he had used Soul Release to banish four Normal Monsters.

Once it was his turn, a single card could call forth four incredibly strong and resilient "big guys" from the banished zone.

Even with Machine Drive Night reducing their ATK by 500, the combined attack power of the four monsters would be enough to finish the game.

But then again, Machine Drive Night could also turn all monsters on the field into Machine-type monsters.

As Yu Ming began to gather the cards from the dueling mat, he couldn't help but gaze at the four monster cards he had retrieved from the banished zone.

So, is this also a kind of "four-engine" strategy...?

He was just kidding, of course.

When those bizarre thoughts popped into his head, Yu Ming himself couldn't help but want to laugh.

But after reining in those strange ideas, there was still something in front of him that needed his attention.

"Though it might be a bit late to say this now, but..."

Looking up, he saw Noah smiling directly ahead.

"You really are strong."

At this moment, the boy seemed to have completely forgotten about his defeat. Even the earlier signs of disappointment seemed like some kind of illusion.

Gazing at the smile on Noah's face, Yu Ming simply shook his head.

"Please, don't say that. I just got lucky."

After reorganizing his deck and putting it back into his deck box, Yu Ming looked at Noah.

Although he had already received the reward, and the System had acknowledged his victory, he wouldn't let his guard down.

"Not only were you not using your own deck, but more importantly..."

Unconsciously drawing out his words, Yu Ming's peripheral vision caught sight of the System notification that only he could see.

100 Duel Points had been added to his account.

If Duel Points were based on the opponent's strength, then this was far too little.

Not to mention the mere dozens of points he'd get from the "walking dead" or isolated demons outside, even using Keith as a benchmark, it shouldn't be like this.

At the very least, Yu Ming didn't believe Noah was necessarily weaker than Keith.

Clearly, there was only one answer:

"You weren't really serious, were you?" Yu Ming said.

"Anyway, the outcome of this match doesn't really matter to you."

Hearing this, Noah simply raised an eyebrow.

After tidying up his parts and machine-type deck, he propped up his chin like a commander.

"Then... what do you think matters?"

"Testing me, of course. After all, I'm just a newcomer, a stranger. As the manager, it's unlikely you'd determine my 'component' based solely on a report, and then..."

He looked at the deck on the table.

"Recruit me—on behalf of Kaiba Corporation."

Noah's blue eyes seemed to widen instinctively.

He couldn't help but stare at the older boy in front of him, seemingly wanting to say something, but then saw the other yawning.

"Just like what I'm doing now, you've been showing me the capabilities and resources you possess, constantly trying to build a good impression of Kaiba Corporation in my mind through your words."

Yu Ming stretched lazily.

When he looked at Noah again, he saw the boy's expression gradually become subtle.

To be honest, Yu Ming always felt that some of the early settings in Yu-Gi-Oh! were written carelessly. Leaving aside GX, which made outrageous claims, even Noah Kaiba in front of him was quite absurd.

Kaiba Corporation, with the anime's embellishments, was already an arms company involved in satellite weapons and capable of independently developing and controlling missiles. Yet, this guy in front of him, at just 10 years old, could independently research plans to conquer and rule the world.

Yu Ming felt like he was shortening his lifespan by playing mind games with someone like that. He could only be glad that this was a world of card games.

Just like in high-martial arts or other worlds that emphasize individual strength, here, as long as your dueling skills were top-notch, no matter the opponent's status, they had to respect your ideas.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

Yu Ming smiled faintly at Noah's somewhat helpless expression.

Ultimately, he had only one request:

"I hope to have a stable base, to avoid struggling alone in this damn world. So I can work for you, accept the tasks you assign, but…"

But there was a precondition.

"I don't want to get involved in any messy affairs."

Yu Ming stated.

"Factional disputes, tangled interests… To be honest, I don't care what ambitions Kaiba Corporation has, but I don't want to be affected by those things."

He gazed at Noah, focusing on the heir's hesitant expression.

In the end, he was met with a trace of resignation.

"It seems we haven't left you with a good impression."

You know it too, Yu Ming's lips twitched uncontrollably as he watched Noah's regretful expression.

Although Yu Ming wasn't sure what difference there was between the Noah Kaiba who now appeared in the Underworld and the Noah AI from the Noah arc who could calmly say, 'Destroy the whole world in 30 days,'

But for a child to skillfully employ tactics of both carrot and stick, the maturity hidden behind that naive voice made Yu Ming feel an inexplicable chill.

What's more…

"After all, you are 'Kaiba'."

Although later, duelists often spoke of this surname with a hint of teasing.

Even if many joked that Seto Kaiba's duel addiction was the primary productive force, he truly pushed the world forward.

But that wasn't the case now.

"You are an arms company. You can casually start wars just to test new weapons. Your 'arms kingdom' is built entirely on the misfortune and sacrifice of others."

Yu Ming looked at the boy in front of him—Noah Kaiba.

This boy, who, according to the lore, was trained by Gozaburo Kaiba to be a ruler.

"Can you tell me, for what reason would such a corporation, such a blood-stained power, raise a rebellion against the current Necromancer King?"

"To save this world."

"…?"

Damn, where did my moral high ground go?

Yu Ming really wanted to ask that, but the current atmosphere didn't allow him to joke around.

"I'm serious. The reason I set out to establish the current Kaiba Corporation was also to protect those around me."

When Yu Ming came back to his senses, he saw Noah's serious expression.

"I know, there's no way I can earn your trust right now, but please give me… give the current Kaiba Corporation some time. I will prove it."

There was no teasing, no wavering.

After the solemn promise, a smile appeared on his face instead.

"For now, please allow me to formally introduce you to our base."

Drip

Noah pressed a button on the table.

With a slight vibration, the wall behind him opened up like giant doors, revealing a massive floor-to-ceiling window.

As a glimmer of light appeared, a suddenly expansive 'new world' unfolded before him:

Tall buildings and residences were orderly arranged, and factories and gardens were scattered pleasingly.

In the distance, there was also a modern port, contrasting with ancient-style buildings led by an unknown shrine.

Just by looking, Yu Ming felt a temporal displacement, as if buildings from different eras were stacked together.

"What exactly is this…"

"It's a city."

When his gaze shifted from the vast landscape of varied stacked buildings back to Noah's face, he saw a confident smile.

"Welcome to New Domino City."

[Location found – New Domino City]

So, can you ride a D-Wheel in your New Domino City?

Of course, he knew the answer without asking such a sarcastic question.

There were no perpetual motion machines here, nor were there any elevated tracks for riding duels. This city, which seemed to be primarily from the DM era but mixed with various other elements, was merely a settlement for the rebels here.

"I can personally show you around the city; that should also provide some… for your future life."

Ring, ring

Suddenly, the ringing phone brought everything to a halt.

As Yu Ming instinctively looked at the phone on the table, he saw Noah had already picked it up.

"It's me. What's wrong?"

Immediately, his previously smiling expression was replaced by a look of shock.

"What did you say?!"

In an instant, the previously pleasant cooperative atmosphere vanished without a trace.

Noah Kaiba's face clouded over, and Yu Ming could even feel an unprecedented oppressive aura emanating from him.

Then, Noah looked up:

"I was going to show you around, but there's no time now."

"What happened?"

Meeting Noah's serious and solemn expression, Yu Ming asked.

At that moment, the oppressive feeling around Noah disappeared, replaced by a bitter smile.

"I'm afraid we'll need your help again."

At this point, Yu Ming even felt the air solidify and time completely stand still.

"Huh?"

What does that mean?

But before he could ask, the answer was already before him.

BOOM!

A violent tremor accompanied the roar of an explosion, and the supposedly sealed door collapsed with a crash.

From within the dust and smoke, a grim voice echoed:

"I finally found you, you filthy rat."

"..."

Seriously, isn't this progressing a bit too fast?