Magnificent fireworks exploded in the sky, with roaring images of Blue-Eyes White Dragon in various disguises flying across the azure. Shouts and applause formed a roaring wave that swept across the entire venue.
The steel wings cut through the fireworks and images, as a jet shaped like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared past with two long tails of flames.
The jet's thrusters at the rear turned vertically downward, and the jet hovered in mid-air above the stage in a very anti-physical manner, opening the cabin door downwards.
Then Kaiba Seto, the president inside the cabin, jumped down in an even more anti-physical posture, landing directly at the center of the stage without a roll, with his trench coat billowing behind him.
And now, Youyu stood backstage watching, not surprised anymore.
Back when they first met, he used to jump off helicopters, but now that's not enough for him; he has to jump from jets.
Who knows what it'll be like in two more years...
Youyu seriously suspected that President Haima might have become addicted to showing off. Clearly, he had already arrived at the venue but insisted on piloting a plane back just for a grand entrance, not minding the hassle...
"He's so obsessed with Blue-Eyes White Dragon..." said Chinai emotionlessly from the audience.
Actually, she had long wanted to tease, as Kaiba Land looks like a massive declaration of love from the president to White Dragon, even slightly transforming the setup for a wedding wouldn't be considered too much.
"I really wonder about Kaiba Seto's..."
Chinai suddenly paused midway. She turned her head to find her new little friend, Anmu Natsuki, lowering her head, her face flushed to her ears, her small head like a steam-emitting engine.
Chinai: "?"
What's with this girl? Heatstroke?
At this moment, President Haima had already walked on stage and started delivering a passionate speech.
For the first anniversary celebration of Kaiba Land's completion, the president also planned to simply introduce and promote the soon-to-be-released new generation Duel Disc. According to the advertisement's slogan, this Duel Disc has "epoch-making significance" and will impact the current Dueling World.
However, President Haima's promotional speech this time... um... let's just say it's a bit unique.
"From the moment of birth, people are trapped by the cage called the body; the body is a cage that the soul cannot escape from until death!" Haima shouted on stage.
"We fight to protect those we care about! The body picks up weapons to protect the soul, leading people to repeat foolish wars, mutual slaughter, the history of battle repeating endlessly..."
"..."
President Haima became increasingly excited as he spoke, while Youyu, listening from backstage, had more and more questions.
No, wait, President...
It's not that the speech lacked passion, nor was there anything wrong with the philosophy, but the key issue is...
...what's this got to do with the Duel Disc our company sells!? Who understands any of this?
President, see the kids in the audience with their confused looks.
Do you have many little question-mark friends?
All the onlookers had puzzled expressions... yet there was still one person clapping enthusiastically.
All eyes focused on Natsuki, who was clapping vigorously, as if a multitude of spotlights were concentrated at the girl's feet, making her particularly noticeable.
Standing beside her, Chinai couldn't withstand the pressure of the attention and silently shuffled to the side in small steps. But the snow-white skinned girl continued to clap fervently, as if genuinely agreeing with the passionate speech.
Haima glanced at her but continued speaking without pausing.
"...the irony is, even victors ultimately cannot be liberated from the lifelong cage," President Haima changed his tone, raising the prototype next-generation Duel Disc high.
"However, everyone! The soul is liberated from the body thanks to Kaiba Company's new generation Duel Disc!"
Finally, bringing it back to our Duel Disc.
Hearing this, Youyu almost started daydreaming about playing chess with King Zhao.
"We emerge from the body's confinement, welcoming an era of coexistence in the network world! This Duel Disc will lead us across the boundaries of thoughts, languages, and countries, towards a new future!"
"Oh oh oh!!!"
The entire audience began cheering, applause rumbling, and the waves of sound gradually drowned the venue.
The vast majority of the audience didn't understand the profound and obscure speech before, only grasping that the next-generation Duel Disc is powerful and card games will evolve into a new era going forward.
Capturing part of President Haima's passionate statements, you can't imagine this was actually an advertisement for card games. The ambitious lines, the unusually enthusiastic audience, anyone oblivious might think it's some massive preaching event.
With the atmosphere heated up, President Haima stepped down, saying: "Next, this stage is handed over to the man standing at the world's pinnacle, the ultimate goal all Duelists aspire to, the one bearing the supreme title of Duel King!"
The audience's emotions hit another high point.
This time, Miss Chinai was the first to lead the applause, clapping with such force that her hands turned red, drawing a sideways glance from Natsuki beside her.
Before stepping on stage, Youyu shot a look at Haima.
A man at the world's pinnacle? The ultimate goal for Duelists?
Wow, you never called me that in the company.
To the public, it's "Duel King." In private, it's always "You↑Yu↓," immediately followed by "Come duel..."
Youyu stepped onto the stage, coughed twice, saying the president spoke well enough, and he'd just add a few points to reinforce the president's words...
Of course, he couldn't mimic Haima's lofty, mind-boggling philosophical speech. Youyu's speech was simple and direct, summarized with a single core—
—Buy buy buy!
The latest Domino online duel card game Divine Artifact is here!
Supports face-to-face confrontation, friend battles, room matches, online networking, and a great partner for travel and easing card addiction!
Original price 998, now 998, promising no discounts!
If tempted, act quickly, pick up your phone to book and purchase now!
Then the audience got all hyped up.
Buy buy buy! You're not human if you don't buy!
"..."
Youyu stood on stage endorsing the president's new Duel Disc, and the celebration footage was transmitted globally, the signal equipped with wings, flying through fiber-optic paths to broadcasts worldwide.
A petite girl sat in an outdoor cafe wearing a large cloak, leaning against the setting sun, quietly reading a large book.
Youyu's voice came from the TV behind the window. She briefly retrieved her gaze from the book, turning her head to watch the TV screen.
"Duel King... Youyu," the girl murmured, "Will your presence guide the course of history to a new stage... or to its close?"
"Um... big sister."
A childish voice drew the girl's attention back. She turned her head to see when a cute little girl licking a lollipop had gotten close to the table, her hair tied in adorable pigtails.
"What's your name, big sister?" the little girl asked.
"Me?" the girl smiled gently, "My name is Sella."
"Sella sis, you've been reading here all along it seems." The little girl leaned forward curiously, tilting her head, "Is it a really good book?"
"Mm."
Sella closed the book and stood up from the chair.
"But I suppose it's time for me to leave."
"Eh? Leaving already?" The little girl seemed a bit disappointed.
"Yes, but I've finished this book. If you like, I could give it to you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The little girl happily accepted the thick book, carefully hugging it to her chest. Moments later, she suddenly realized she might have forgotten something, turning back: "Thank you, sister... eh?"
She tilted her head, blinking her confused big eyes, realizing just under two seconds later, it was completely empty behind her.
Sella stood on the rooftop of a building under construction, stepping on high scaffoldings, with an outer side marked with a Q-version Blue-Eyes White Dragon safety helmet sign.
"Duel King Youyu, an inevitable target to approach, I suppose? Friend or foe, ultimately..."