Later, Youyu arrived at the private room of the "Blue-Eyes Hotel" in Domino... bringing along the jellyfish-headed little Judai.
From its flamboyant and suave name to the hotel building's rooftop architecture style, which seems to resemble a White Dragon lying down, it's evident this is the handiwork of the Kaiba Group.
On the hotel rooftop, the two eyes on the dragon's head have beautiful blue night lights flickering under the boundless dark night, looking like the vivid eyes of the White Dragon, as lively as water.
Over the year, Kaiba Company's influence in Domino City has grown stronger. Sometimes Youyu even feels that compared to the current President Haima, the mayor of Domino is much the same.
The most direct and notable manifestation is that within a year, Blue-Eyes White Dragon-themed buildings have sprung up all over the city like bamboo shoots after the rain, one after another, with an impressive momentum to dominate Domino.
Actually, it's not just in Domino. In many cities worldwide, more and more "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" have emerged over the past year — lying down, resting, soaring, in a chibi style...
... In short, any building or bridge erected by the Kaiba Group has some connection to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Youyu figured it out; this is actually President Haima's ambition hidden deep in his heart. Haima's goal might be to one day unify the globe with his Blue-Eyes White Dragon, to unwittingly transform the prototype of every building worldwide into his beloved White Bride...
Mr. Phoenix sent a message saying he had just arrived in Domino today, having returned with Ed from Fantasy Society headquarters. He has already reserved a private room at the "Blue-Eyes Hotel," room number "Jade Shattering..."
Yes, indeed, other private rooms have names like "Reinforced", "Invincible", "Strongest", "Smash", and "Cheers"...
Youyu can't comprehend what kind of train of thought led the president to hang such fuzzy lines on room plaques, fearing that others wouldn't see them.
Perhaps it goes with the phrase "As long as I'm not embarrassed, the embarrassed ones are others."
When Youyu arrived at the private room, Mr. Phoenix was already waiting there. Upon seeing Youyu, Mr. Phoenix rose enthusiastically, shook his hands, and said long time no see, Youyu truly holds the air more than ever...
Youyu shook hands with him, trying to find some nice words to say. But upon sizing up Mr. Phoenix, the sight was...
— an unkempt hairstyle, heavy dark circles and bloodshot eyes, and oil on his face one could scrape off to fry food.
And despite not being very old, Mr. Phoenix's hair...
... Let's put it this way, it has a tendency toward strong development.
Witnessing this image, Youyu can't help but inwardly complain, gosh, does Pegasus exploit employees like this?
At this moment, Mr. Phoenix resembles a programmer whose client suddenly changed requirements, making him pull all-nighters for several days.
Little Ed's eyes lit obviously upon seeing Youyu. He sprang excitedly from the chair, his little face written with excitement but appearing a bit shy, indeed a cute youth but acting like a bashful girl.
Despite both being the young prodigies from GX and representatives of Hero Deck users in the animation, Ed and Judai's childhood personalities significantly contrast.
A year without seeing each other, Ed shyly couldn't even greet Youyu. Meanwhile, little Judai already widened his eyes, clutching Youyu's clothes: "Brother Youyu, this uncle looks like a giant panda, so funny..."
Youyu: "..."
Mr. Phoenix, however, didn't mind the child's words at all, just chuckled and turned to Youyu: "And this child is...?"
"Oh, this is Yuki Judai," Youyu introduced, "My student, sort of."
Originally, Youyu didn't plan on bringing Judai along, but when he replied to the message, Judai saw it and insisted on coming.
Youyu thought about it. Realizing Ed and Judai are fateful opponents in the original and both Hero Users, an early meeting wouldn't be bad.
"Oh?"
Mr. Phoenix instantly showed interest, carefully scrutinizing the child as if trying to see something exceptional.
If chosen by the Duel King as a disciple, there must be something remarkable?
"Ah!?"
The initially shy little Ed suddenly froze.
Youyu's apprentice?
But... but shouldn't it be me first?
I haven't become Youyu's apprentice!
Ed: Grievance.JPG.
Thus, the already shy little ace felt even more sullen, his silver little head shrinking sideways, silent for a long time.
Youyu still felt strange.
This child was so warm with me when we met last year, why is he not even greeting today?
It's said women are changeable, could it be that boys are too?
It doesn't make sense!
Little Judai was quite enthusiastic, rushing to Ed: "I'm Yuki Judai! What about you?"
Ed lifted his gemstone-like clear blue eyes for a glance, met his gaze, and quickly pulled back like a shock, hiding behind his dad and whispered: "Ed... Ed Phoenix."
"Ed... what a pleasant name!" Judai rejoiced, "Do you duel too? What card deck do you use?"
"He... Hero..."
"Oh oh oh, what a coincidence, I also use the Hero Deck!"
Remembering something, little Judai slapped his forehead, rummaging through his backpack for a while, and pulled out a card with a shiny surface and hot stamped name: "Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman".
Ed took the card, his eyes instantly lighting up.
Kids have no resistance to cool heroes, especially this globally limited shining card.
"Impressive, right?" Little Judai bragged, "Brother Youyu gifted it to me!"
Little Ed pouted, silent but similarly pulled out a card and handed it to Judai to inspect.
Judai took a look and exclaimed, "Oh oh oh, so awesome! Destiny Hero... I don't have such cards!"
Little Ed proudly puffed up his chest: "My dad designed it!"
"That's amazing!" Judai sincerely praised, expressing genuine admiration.
Little Ed's words burst open unknowingly, even temporarily setting aside "It should've been me first but I didn't become Youyu's apprentice" grievances.
The two kids suddenly started jabbering away, only to realize these personalities entirely different yet shared plenty of common topics, feeling they met late...
This revolutionary friendship immediately flourished.
The dishes were served promptly. After eating briefly, they got straight to the point.
Youyu straightforwardly inquired, "You mentioned earlier, you developed a new card deck?"
"Indeed," Mr. Phoenix adjusted his glasses, "Since it's still a 'Hero'-themed card deck, I wanted you to see it first.
But just explaining it verbally, might not convey it properly. So..."
Mr. Phoenix put down his chopsticks and magically pulled a Duel Disc from under the table.
"It's better illustrated through a duel," he sincerely expressed.
Youyu: "..."
Why would you carry such a thing to a meal, anyway?
... If it were the old me, I would've quipped that.
But now...
Youyu, prepared, similarly pulled out a Duel Disc from under the table.
"Alright, let's do it," he responded.