Angel O7, summoned!
Gekko: "While Angel O7 is on the field, all monsters you control cannot activate their effects!" (Original effect)
So that's its original effect, Kira realized.
He only remembered the real card's effect, which was even stricter: it blocks all monster effects, no matter where they are. But the real card is a double-edged sword—it mutes both players. In the manga, it only mutes the opponent.
Also, the real card only works if Tribute Summoned, but here, even Special Summon works.
If the summoning conditions are easier, this kind of lockdown becomes scary.
"That's Mr. Gekko's ace…" Misawa gulped. "It's very strong. But its ATK still isn't enough to beat Black Luster Soldier."
But Gekko cut him off: "I activate the Spell Card Allure of Darkness—draw two cards, then banish a DARK monster from my hand."
Gekko drew two cards.
"Then I banish the DARK 'Belial - Marquis of Darkness' from my hand."
He held up a card, and it vanished into a swirling black vortex.
"But then I activate the Equip Spell 'D.D.R. - Different Dimension Reincarnation'!" Gekko said. "By discarding a card, I can Special Summon a banished monster in Attack Position!"
He discarded a card.
"So, I revive 'Belial - Marquis of Darkness'!"
The dimensional vortex opened again, and a marquis with dark wings descended from the darkness, wielding a huge black sword as black feathers floated down.
[Belial - Marquis of Darkness, ATK 2800]
Also one of the key monsters for both Tenma brothers in the manga.
"And I'm not done. Now I banish these two Rock-type monsters from my hand—'Dogu' and 'The Rock Spirit'!"
As the two Rock monsters vanished into the vortex, the duel arena's ground split open. Enormous rocks exploded up, deafening crashes, and then a giant figure slowly emerged.
A giant made of stone, emanating a cold and unyielding aura. It stood tall, towering into the clouds.
Earth Giant - Gaia Plate, summoned!
[Gaia Plate the Earth Giant, ATK 2800]
Kira looked over, surprised.
But considering Gekko is one of the heads of the world's leading card company, maybe it's not surprising he has all sorts of rare cards.
"This is my full power!"
Gekko shouted.
"First, Gaia, attack 'Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning'!"
Alexis gasped: "Attacking with a lower-ATK monster? There must be a trick…"
"Gaia's effect: The monster it battles has its ATK halved during damage calculation!"
[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000 → 1500]
The stone giant's punch was earth-shaking. Black Luster Soldier's shield was shattered, and he disappeared in golden light.
[Kira, LP 2000 → LP 700]
"'Angel O7', direct attack!" Gekko called.
He still had two big monsters left for direct attacks. Victory seemed close.
But, just as his brother Yako had once experienced when victory seemed at hand, Gekko felt this attack wouldn't go through so easily.
Kira: "I activate my set card: Quick-Play Spell—Scapegoat.
I Special Summon four 'Sheep Tokens' for defense."
[Sheep Token, DEF 0] x4
As expected.
Gekko frowned slightly.
"Then 'Belial - Marquis of Darkness' and 'Angel O7' will each destroy a Sheep Token!"
His remaining monsters struck, slicing apart the blue and red sheep, which burst into light.
Gekko let out a long breath.
Still not quite enough.
"My turn ends."
But this was his limit.
"Phew, that was close," Kira smiled. "Mr. Gekko, you sure keep the pressure on. Such fierce offense is hard to withstand."
Pressure?
Gekko was silent.
He couldn't sense any pressure coming from Kira.
After thinking for a moment, Gekko smiled lightly. "May I ask you a question, Kira-kun?"
"What is it?"
"It's nothing serious, just curiosity…"
Gekko asked softly.
"When was the last time you fought a duel at your full strength?"
Kira: "…"
Misawa and Alexis both looked at him, curious as well.
But Kira just smiled helplessly.
"I don't know why everyone says that, but I'm taking things very seriously against you, Mr. Gekko."
"I see… Sorry if I overstepped."
Gekko nodded, not pushing further.
"My turn. Draw."
Kira looked at the card he drew and immediately played it.
"Spell Card— Spell Books from the Pot. Both players draw three cards." (Original card)
After drawing, he took a deep breath.
"All right. Since Mr. Gekko feels that way, I'll summon one of this deck's strongest trump cards this turn—to break through this situation.
I think this should prove that I'm being serious, right?"
Gekko immediately perked up, his nerves on edge, ready for anything.
One of his strongest cards?
He immediately thought of the record Yako had shared about their last duel.
The card that utterly defeated Yako—the latest, most overpowered form of Black Luster Soldier.
Is he going to summon that now?
Kira had already played one card.
"Spell Card— Metamorphosis!
I tribute a monster on my field to Special Summon a Fusion Monster of the same Level!"
He pointed at one of his Sheep Tokens.
"I tribute a Level 1 Sheep Token to transform!
With the ritual of sacrifice, I summon the Alluring Eye—
Level 1, Thousand-Eyes Restrict, summoned!"
Gekko: "???"
What the heck did you just summon?