Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!

"Here."

Mokuba handed Kira a briefcase and smiled.

"This should complete your set of 'Monarchs.'"

Kira opened the case to check, nodded, and quickly closed it again.

"Thanks," he smiled. "Now I think I'm all set."

Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Thunder, Darkness, Light, and Evil—the original eight Monarchs. But Kira knew there was much room for the deck to grow.

As a real card deck with no anime prototype, it was impressive that it continued to get new support cards after so many years, showing its high popularity.

In the future, every Monarch would have even more powerful evolved forms, subordinates for support, and even field spells, spells, and traps exclusively for them.

At least for now, the deck's development potential was limitless. And as a future deck, even its fully evolved form relied solely on Tribute Summon, not involving any summoning methods that hadn't been invented yet—a solid choice for research.

Kira had already set up a special project team for Monarch development, guiding the direction of upgrades and support cards.

His lab was now working with the world's top Monarch development department. The "Dark Advance" trap he'd used was their latest result.

Although "Dark Advance" didn't have "Monarch" in its name, its effect clearly stated "Monsters with ATK 2400 or higher and DEF 1000"—all but naming every Monarch directly. It was practically a half-Monarch card.

"Oh, right, the classmate I mentioned before—" Kira remembered something.

"The one called Jaden Yuki, right?" Mokuba nodded. "It's fine, I've informed the committee. He'll get a spot."

He paused, then asked, "But it's rare for you to recommend someone. Are you close friends?"

"Haha, I guess. But I didn't recommend him just for that—he's also a very strong duelist." Kira smiled. "Even the President might take notice of him."

"That strong?" Mokuba blinked. "But wasn't he in Slifer Red?"

"Uh, well, he's kind of an oddball. Besides, I'm still in Yellow Dorm, right?"

"...That's true."

Mokuba nodded and didn't ask further.

"Alright, it's almost time for the opening ceremony." Mokuba stood and smiled. "Let's get going."

"I was just wondering—"

Kira was puzzled.

"There's no venue for the opening ceremony? They just said to arrive in Domino, but not where."

"Ah."

Mokuba smiled mysteriously.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Kira was confused at first but quickly understood what Mokuba meant.

Because, as the countdown ended, President Kaiba suddenly appeared before him.

Even Kira had to admit, he was startled. Since coming to this world where even ghosts had to duel, few things could surprise him.

Just like a monster summoning, a swirling vortex and a blaze of golden light appeared. Seto Kaiba rose into the air, his coat tails fluttering, and landed in a superhero pose.

With a flourish, he stood up.

Kira was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood.

"A hologram?"

He looked at his duel disk.

All participants' duel disks were KaibaCorp products, so it was easy to guess that Kaiba was broadcasting his image through them.

"Not exactly," Mokuba grinned. "It's a virtual image, but not a hologram. It's in your mind."

Kira: "?"

By now, he had some idea of Kaiba's tech. It was the same memory-projection technology used in the movie. By interacting with the duelists' memory centers, it could project the image directly into their minds.

So now, President Kaiba was appearing to all contestants in a projection only they could see.

"To all duelists who have arrived in Duel City, as the organizer, I welcome you."

Kaiba crossed his arms and smirked.

"Each of you is a battle-hardened warrior, having earned your way to this battlefield with your skills and record. But this is only the beginning."

Kaiba stepped forward, his voice ringing out.

"This city will now become the city of duels! The entire city is your battlefield. Your deck will be your only sword. Only those who survive to the end will stand at the top!"

He raised his duel disk, showing off his deck.

"Of course, this isn't the first Battle City tournament, so I'm sure you all know the rules."

"The winner of a duel can take a rare card from the loser, and the winner chooses which card."

As expected, the ante rule.

Kira narrowed his eyes.

This rule had existed since the original Battle City, established by Kaiba to win the three Egyptian God Cards, and retained as a tradition afterward.

Anyone not confident enough, or unwilling to risk rare cards, would never enter this tournament.

"Ah, so losing isn't an option," Kira sighed.

"You're at it again," Mokuba laughed. "As if you ever planned to lose."

Kaiba continued:

"Only the eight fastest duelists to win through the city brawl will qualify for the finals. The finals location is hidden somewhere in the city."

Kaiba sneered.

"And I don't know where it is, either. Don't bother looking for previous venues, because every tournament the location changes."

"Each contestant has a puzzle piece card. Only those who collect six pieces and assemble them will reveal the map to the finals."

Kira wasn't surprised.

The rules were almost a one-to-one recreation of the first Battle City tournament.

"Oh, and one more thing. This Battle City also has a special rule."

Kaiba Seto said flatly:

"The tournament champion will earn the long-vacant title of 'King of Games.'"

PS: 3 Bonus chapters at 2000 PS.