Kaiba Company, Headquarters.
Aigami was confined in a custom-made transparent enclosure, his hands bound behind him, all special abilities stripped away, like a beast thrown into a cage after having its fangs removed.
Youyu and Kaiba stood side by side outside this specially designed prison.
Actually, Youyu initially wanted to remind the President that capturing and imprisoning someone privately might not be entirely legal. But then again, a lot of things the President does seem not entirely legal, and sometimes law enforcement even helps him with it...
"We've scanned your little toy," Kaiba said coldly.
"The 'Quantum Cube,'" Youyu supplemented for the President.
Aigami's eyes flickered, involuntarily glancing at Youyu.
How did he... seem to know the secret of the Quantum Cube?
The Quantum Cube is a Divine Artifact left by Lord Shadi to the Prana, not part of the Seven Items, even a reincarnated Priest or the Gravekeeper Race shouldn't know about it.
Could it be... that Sella told him?
Aigami grew more restless.
Why did Sella go behind his back to find this Duel King?
And what exactly is their agreement?
"Call it whatever you like," Kaiba remained uninterested in such mysticism, "We scanned a piece of the Pendant inside it..."
Aigami feigned composure, displaying an "I've got everything under control" master look: "Hmph, but you can't get that piece, right?
Maybe your mind indeed surpasses ordinary people, President Kaiba. But the 'Quantum Cube' is a presence beyond your imagination, the highest wisdom of ancient Alchemy!
Even with your Kaiba Company's technology, you can't open the 'Quantum Cube'; even if you find it, you can't get the piece hidden inside..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Mokuba—the professional hostage—run in excitedly, "Brother, that weird cube opened!"
Aigami almost spat blood.
Bakana (Impossible)!
The Quantum Cube is a Millennium Item! A Millennium Item!
Opening it at will, you think it's like riding a shared bike?
Youyu looked at the shocked Aigami sympathetically.
Sir, the times have changed!
But Aigami quickly regained his composure, his mouth twitching as he forced a smile: "Hmph, even having this piece is useless.
I took a total of two pieces of the Millennium Pendant! You'll never find out where the other piece is...
He already entrusted the last piece to his most trusted sister, Sella. With Kaiba Group's attention completely focused on him, they would never think...
Mokuba, who had rushed in excitedly, froze upon hearing this, then smiled: "What? Didn't you know? The other piece is already approximately in our hands."
"What?"
Aigami's expression changed again. If it weren't for being tied up, he would have jumped up.
The other piece was clearly in Sella's hands, how could they...
Then suddenly Aigami seemed to think of something, gnashing his teeth and glaring viciously at Youyu.
This guy... What did he do to Sella!?
Youyu: "?"
The piece isn't in my hands, why glare at me?
Unbelievable...
...
Muto Yugi stood dazedly on the sidewalk by the roadside.
This was his way home from school, the intersection was his everyday route. Usually, this should be a busy traffic hub, cars coming and going, bustling until late at night.
But today, the intersection was unusually empty.
Cars from all four directions were stopped by red traffic lights, as if making way for the city's owner. Kaiba Seto stood in the center of the intersection with his arms crossed, exuding an aura of "everyone should make way for me," his white coat tails fluttering in the wind.
Yugi was shocked.
He knew the President had significant power, but this was... too outrageous.
Just to wait here and say a few words, ™ directly turned all the traffic lights red, is this even possible?
All the cars from four directions silently waited there, encircling President Kaiba at the center. Not a single complaint from the drivers, as if the neatly arranged traffic on all sides was an army ready to move, and Kaiba was their commander.
Nowadays, even the protagonist in urban fantasy wouldn't dare to act this presumptuous.
"This... would affect traffic, wouldn't it?"
Yugi thought to himself, while slowly walking forward.
Increasingly curious about Kaiba's relationship with the Mayor of Domino.
"Been waiting for you a long time, Yugi," Kaiba said coldly, "I have something to tell you."
This President of Kaiba is indeed unique. You might think just to say a few words, it could be done at the school gate, at Yugi's home, or anywhere along his way from school, but President Kaiba insists on stopping the traffic lights at such a big intersection and standing there dramatically...
Without further ado, Kaiba lifted his arm, showing the nearly completed Millennium Pendant.
The gesture clearly conveyed: yes, precisely, he did dig up that tomb, and he intends for you to help.
Yugi exclaimed, "Kaiba, you..."
"It's nearly complete, only missing the last piece," Kaiba replied solemnly, "Yugi, there should still be some treasures in your treasure chest, right?"
Yugi: "!"
He knew what Kaiba meant.
Just last night, a mysterious girl named "Sella" unexpectedly appeared in Yugi's room, handing him a piece of the Millennium Pendant.
But he hadn't had the chance to tell anyone about it.
"Kaiba, how did you know..."
"Hmph," Kaiba snorted, "This whole city is under my control; everything that happens here I know perfectly."
Indeed, for this situation, the President used the word "control."
First preventing entry permits if one doesn't duel, then arbitrarily stopping traffic lights. Now the President outright claimed he manages the city, as if the city hall could just take a backseat...
Forum users jokingly speculated there might be a particularly large number of surveillance cameras around the Muto family. Maybe the President knows exactly what time Yugi wakes up, brushes his teeth, and what he eats for breakfast...
President Kaiba is straightforward; he doesn't waste time and gets straight to the point without much preamble.
Simply put, just one sentence—
—Duel tomorrow, quickly come!
—Failing to come will directly revoke your residency!
As usual, President Kaiba certainly left Yugi no choice; announcing the tournament was "mandatory participation" for Yugi.
Although Kaiba didn't say the consequences for not participating, given his influence, it's easy to imagine his methods.
But those familiar with the President know his intent is not directly about the game.
Does he truly want to pester Yugi into a duel? Not really; his real target for the game is the soul of that ancient King once residing in the Millennium Pendant.
Kaiba boldly stated he would complete the Millennium Pendant, and even if he had to use force, he'd ensure Yugi wore the pendant once more.
He planned to replicate a past event, using Muto Yugi's existence in the present world to summon the Pharaoh's soul once more.
"Don't run away, Yugi!" Kaiba's voice faded away as he left on the helicopter's ladder, "You must summon the King's soul for me. When the time comes, my future confrontation with the King will arrive!"