The Mole

Well, setting aside whether Noah was telling the truth or not, this level of development perfectly matched Yu Ming's expectations.

Right now, he felt like he was playing a very old RPG—clear objectives, a straightforward plot, rapid progression, no side quests or detours, as if there was only one path straight to the end.

There was even a classic, must-have element: the exposition.

"The Red-Eyes is a treasure symbolizing possibility. It's precisely because Evil Eye possessed it that it gained enough power to overwhelm the other factions in the Underworld, and it's also through its power that I'm able to contend with the Necromancer King."

And it was exposition specifically about a crucial main quest item.

To be fair, there was nothing inherently wrong with that.

In Yu Ming's memory, many creators seemed to dedicate a lot of effort to describing such things.

"Through the power of the Red-Eyes, I founded the original Kaiba Corporation and established the first factory in this very place."

Whether it was fabricating legends or recounting internal game history, the goal was always to emphasize its importance and lay the groundwork for the world.

"The city, the factories, the mechanical defense perimeter—everything we have now originated from that eye."

However, perhaps because he was hearing so many familiar terms, Yu Ming found it somewhat hard to maintain his composure.

So, how exactly could one eye create all of this?

But before he could even begin to complain, something even more significant appeared.

"Of course, there are also the crucially important Duel Disks and cards."

Yu Ming was momentarily stunned when he heard this.

"The Duel Disk too?"

"Yes."

After regaining his wits, he couldn't help but glance at the mechanical wristband on his arm, then at the card-slot short gun holstered at his waist.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, because these are weapons I created by imitating the tools of demons, undead, and vampires."

"But it's green," Yu Ming couldn't help but retort. "You used the Red-Eyes to create a green Duel Disk?"

"One must make some disguises, mustn't one? After all, I can hardly tell Evil Eye openly that what it seeks is in my possession."

Noah certainly had ample reasons… or rather, excuses.

But such minor details were clearly not important now.

"In any case, this Duel Disk is my proudest creation," Noah began. "As a mass-produced model, it can store a certain amount of energy. With just a switch, it can materialize the power of cards and initiate a Shadow Game. This is what truly allows ordinary people like us to contend with those powerful enemies."

"Right, contend by dueling..."

Although there were far too many things to mock in what was said before, he was finally hearing something familiar.

Honestly, Yu Ming was all too familiar with this trope.

Putting everything else aside, this was how it was in duelists' own anime—various villainous bosses could effortlessly destroy the world and control powerful organizations, yet in the end, problems still had to be resolved through dueling.

"Anyway, as long as you have a good deck, you'll always have a fighting chance."

"If that were truly the case, we wouldn't have been suppressed all this time."

"Huh?"

"Dueling isn't that simple," Noah shook his head. "A deck is merely an excellent weapon, but the dominant factor is still us, the Duelists. So even if a weak opponent uses every trick in the book, a strong opponent's casual strike can utterly obliterate them."

So, is that why you anime characters are always yelling about your souls, pride, friendship, and bonds, then printing a card out of thin air to instantly defeat everything?

"Speaking of which, haven't you already experienced this for yourself?"

Me?

Experienced?

"Have I?"

Facing Yu Ming's direct and sincere question, Noah's expression stiffened.

"...Never mind," he skipped over that topic, which had no logical explanation anyway, and subtly steered the conversation back to the original subject.

"In any case, I believe everyone understands the importance of New Domino City."

Finally, after scanning the room, Noah slowly stood up.

"This is the only factory capable of producing Duel Disks, and the only place that can effectively utilize the 'Red-Eyes.' Therefore... it must not fall."

As a child who had passed away and arrived in the Underworld before the age of ten, Noah's body was clearly not what one would describe as tall or imposing.

However, standing there between a Nine-Tailed Fox and a massive robot, the boy exuded an aura that demanded attention.

"I know there's still some disagreement between us, and we may not be like-minded comrades, but…"

Clap

He clapped his hands onto the large, round conference table, his eyes, which seemed to glow with green light, scanning the allies around him, whose expressions varied.

"The situation no longer allows us to consider personal gains or losses. We must unite and jointly resist this crisis."

The boy's youthful voice echoed, but it was not met with applause.

His declaration was like an echo within a deep, dark cave; apart from his own voice, only silence and stillness filled the air.

Then…

"Alright!"

Yu Ming suddenly clapped his hands.

The solitary applause followed the lingering echo, and Noah's previous solemnity seemed on the verge of breaking.

"What are you doing…?"

"Afraid you'd get a cold reception."

"…"

"I'm serious."

Facing Noah's hesitant expression, Yu Ming said earnestly.

"A battle strategy meeting when the enemy is at the gates should prioritize efficiency, yet you're putting so much effort into emphasizing unity and coordination. Plus, it's already clear there's a mole. I'm worried this team will fall apart before the fight even begins."

The sudden words were like a bomb thrown into a lake, creating a wild ripple.

In the midst of the turbulent silence, Noah couldn't remain calm either; his previously strained expression began to twitch.

He seemed to want to laugh, but was suppressed by some inexplicable sense of helplessness. Finally, all that helplessness condensed into a heavy sigh.

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. As for the battle plan…"

Noah looked towards the massive robot sitting beside him.

"Miruko, is it ready?"

Immediately, the robot's eyes lit up.

"No problem, we have compiled and organized everything according to your concept, Noah."

"Excellent."

"Should I display it now?"

"No, for now, I think we should return to the previous topic."

"Lord Noah…"

As if realizing something, Shuzo Otaki's expression changed.

But before he could speak, a captivating green glow emanated from Noah's eyes.

"The matter of the mole still needs to be resolved. However, as I said before, resolving this isn't difficult."

He then drew the short gun from his waist and attached it to his Duel Disk.

"To find out who betrayed us, we just need to do one thing."

The moment the Duel Disk extended, the indicator light on the wristband began to flash.

It was an invitation, a universal rule in this world, known as…

"Let's duel."

The next moment, the opulent conference room was enveloped in a black mist.

Yu Ming's mouth twitched as he glanced at the mist that had almost reached his hand.

"So, it's coming, huh?"