Flame Wingman.It wasn't just Chazz—nearly every Duel Academy student recognized that card instantly.
After all, during the entrance exams, Jaden Yuki had famously used Flame Wingman to tear through a professor's Life Points in spectacular fashion.
For most new students, the card left a lasting impression.
But for Chazz Princeton, that impression cut even deeper.He had nearly lost to it himself.
Now seeing a HERO monster, he relaxed slightly.He was familiar with them—too familiar.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was in a bit of a bind.
Scapegoat Tokens couldn't be used as a cost for Blazing Swordsman's Domain, since its effect required sending a face-up monster to the Graveyard.Tokens can't be tributed for anything that sends to the GY unless specifically allowed. So no fuel to burn.
And this time… his hand was a mess.
A total brick.
He couldn't clear the board, and there was still one unknown set card on Chazz's side…
Still, he had a potential OTK next turn—but it'd require preserving key cards in hand. Risky.And it depended entirely on whether Chazz would walk right into it.
He glanced at Chazz—
—who was still glaring daggers at Jaden Yuki on the sidelines.
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
He's distracted. Perfect. I've already won.
"I activate the Continuous Spell: Blazing Swordsman's Domain! I send Gem-Knight Crystal from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon—Blazing Swordsman in Defense Position!"
Blazing SwordsmanDEF: 1600
If he could, Hikaru would've tributed one of the Tokens to Normal Summon Crystal—its 2450 ATK would smash through Armed Dragon LV5's 2400.
But this would have to do.
"He passed his turn?"
"Looks like his hand is bricked," Bastion Misawa commented with a smirk."If he had another monster, he could've used Domain's effect to buff Blazing Swordsman by 1000 ATK and take out Armed Dragon LV5."
"True," Syrus agreed."But next turn, he'll Summon Flame Wingman, and with Domain's boost, he can end the duel in one shot!"
Chazz heard every word—even if he didn't want to.
So that Spell boosts Wingman's attack, huh…He breathed a sigh of relief. Holding onto his Trap had been the right move.
"Heh heh heh… Jaden! This time, I'll win. Watch closely!"
Chazz burst out laughing, his chuuni level hitting the stratosphere."My turn—draw! I Normal Summon—X-Head Cannon!"
X-Head CannonLevel 4 / LIGHT / Machine / ATK: 1800
"Battle! Armed Dragon—destroy Blazing Swordsman!"
The warrior was torn to shreds.
"You two! Wipe out the rest of the sheep!"
Yellow and red Tokens vanished in puffs of smoke, leaving only the blue one trembling in fear.
"End of Battle Phase—I activate Armed Dragon LV5's effect!I discard Paladin of the Armored Dragon to destroy a monster with lower ATK—say goodbye to your last sheep!"
The blue Token popped.
Chazz was on fire—figuratively.His strategy was unfolding perfectly. Fusion or not, he was in control.
"I end my turn! And during the End Phase, since LV5 destroyed a monster in battle, I send it to the Graveyard to Special Summon—Armed Dragon LV7!"
A roar echoed. Armor plates flew from across the arena, latching onto the dragon's body.
Armed Dragon LV7Level 7 / WIND / Dragon / ATK: 2800
"Whoa, it got even stronger."
"This is bad."
The Fusion students watching the match started to sweat.
"How're we supposed to beat that?!"
"His board is empty!"
"Told you! Fusion-only duelists don't last!"
"Bull! Hikaru's bringing out Flame Wingman next turn—just wait!"
Chazz frowned.
So even within the Fusion Division, Hikaru wasn't universally respected?He thought Hikaru was their golden boy, but clearly, not everyone saw it that way.
And that was fair. Not everyone liked Hikaru's rapid rise or his style.
But Hikaru didn't care.
He wasn't here for friendship.
He was here to win.
"My turn—draw! I activate Future Fusion's effect!""On the first Standby Phase after activation, I Fusion Summon the revealed monster from last turn!"
"Come forth—Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!"
Fire burst across the arena. The crowd cheered.
"Whoa! Flame Wingman!" Jaden pumped his fist, more excited than the duelists.
"Heh… now!" Chazz snapped."I activate my Trap Card—Fusion Devourer!"
"No—" Jaden's smile dropped."That card…"
"Fusion Devourer?" Bastion scowled."That Trap lets you Tribute a monster to steal your opponent's Fusion Monster. The ultimate anti-Fusion trap…"
"I Tribute X-Head Cannon—Flame Wingman is mine!"
Elemental HERO Flame WingmanLevel 6 / WIND / Warrior / ATK: 2100
"Hey, that's cheap!"
"Yeah! That's totally targeting Fusion duelists!"
Even Hikaru's critics grumbled.
**"Hah! Idiots! There's no such thing as 'cheap' in card effects!And call me—Chazz It Up!" Chazz roared, pointing at the sky."Now Jaden—watch me crush your precious hero!"
"Uhh… but Hikaru doesn't seem worried?" Jaden pointed.
"Huh!?"
Chazz spun around—only to see Hikaru calmly rubbing his chin.
"You look way too relaxed!"
"Honestly, I figured you'd do this," Hikaru shrugged."I've always assumed I'd face my own Fusion monsters one day.It's just part of chasing fusion's ultimate form."
"Whoa…" some Fusion students clenched their fists in admiration.
"My only regret is how predictable you were, Chazz."
"What!?"
"You kept staring at Jaden the whole duel.Your only goal is beating him—how small.But I? I seek the endgame of Fusion!I'll win using Fusion against any opponent!"
Hikaru slapped a card into his Duel Disk."I activate the Spell: Dark Calling!"
"I banish Winged Kuriboh and Burst Lady from my GY—Fusion Summon!"
"Emerge from the darkness—Evil HERO Inferno Wing!"
Evil HERO Inferno WingLevel 6 / FIRE / Fiend / ATK: 2100
A dark mirror of Flame Wingman, twisted and elegant.
"Inferno Wing!?"
"Wasn't it supposed to be Wingman?"
Everyone but Jaden was stunned.
"Next—I equip it with the Equip Spell: Phantom of Chaos!"
"This Equip Spell can only target Level 5 or higher Fiend or Zombie monsters!Once per turn, it creates a Dopple Token with the same stats!"
"Oh yeah! That's the fusion equipment he used at initiation!"
"Wait, doesn't it also lower the enemy monster's ATK when attacking?"
The pieces clicked.
"So it's a 2100 vs. 700 beatdown!?"
"Haha! And Inferno Wing also has Flame Wingman's burn effect!" Jaden grinned, reveling in his exclusive knowledge.
Chazz's face turned pale.
So he still has the burn effect too!?
"Battle!" Hikaru shouted."Inferno Wing—burn the dragon to ashes!"
Dark fire surged.The armored dragon shrunk, smaller than when it first appeared——and was ruthlessly carved down by the demonic hero.
Then came the flame—
Chazz was engulfed.His screams echoed as he tumbled backward.
One shot KO!