GYG [94]

Suddenly—

BOOM!!!

The entire massive vessel slammed into something unseen—an invisible, unbreakable wall!

The ship shuddered violently as warning lights flared red across every deck!

All thrusters surged to maximum power—yet they couldn’t advance even a single inch!

“Ugh—!”

At the helm, Yugi was thrown forward by the inertia, slamming into the console. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the ship’s communicator.

“Yuto! We’ve hit the barrier! We’re completely blocked!”

In the main cannon control room, Yuto stared at the strange, black-rippled transparent wall just beyond the bow. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Don’t worry! This is exactly what I was waiting for!”

He slammed a switch. The armor plating at the ship’s front parted, revealing a twin-mounted 580mm main cannon.

BOOM!

A sound that seemed to tear through the soul thundered across the sky!

CRACK—SHATTER!!!

Before everyone’s stunned eyes, the ancient dark barrier—said to be impenetrable even by dragons—splintered like glass struck by a hammer, spiderweb fractures spreading across its surface!

A moment later, with a sharp crystalline crack, it exploded into drifting fragments of black light!

The instant the barrier shattered, it was as if the fortress itself roared in rage!

“ROOOAAAR!!!”

A deafening dragon’s roar—filled with fury and destruction—erupted from deep within the [Dark Floating Fortress]!

Then, a massive dragon wreathed in flames burst from the fortress, soaring upward!

Its blazing jaws opened wide, and a torrent of incandescent breath, condensed destruction itself, streaked across the air and slammed into the [White Base]’s port side!

BOOMMMMM!!!

The explosion rocked the heavens! The warship lurched violently to starboard as screeching metal and ruptured pipes joined the roar of erupting flames from the port hull!

Damage alarms howled through every corridor!

“Not good!!!”

On the bridge, Mokuba’s panicked voice rang through the comms.

“Port side hit! Section D heavily damaged! Fires in multiple compartments!”

Amid the chaos, Yuto braced himself against the shaking in the main cannon room, gripping a handrail. Smoke and fire were visible through the observation window—yet there was no fear in his eyes, only burning resolve.

He seized the communicator, shouting over the blaring alarms:

“Don’t panic! Yugi, hold the wheel steady! Joey, Mokuba—keep firing and suppress those monsters! This much damage won’t sink us!!”

Drawing a deep breath, he barked the next order:

“Do NOT slow down! Full speed ahead! This ship’s class is—an ‘Assault Landing Ship’!”

The [White Base]’s rear thrusters ignited, spitting out blinding blue flames like miniature suns!

BOOM! BOOM!

The main cannon fired again, blasting a gaping hole in the fortress’s outer wall.

Its engines, now beyond safe limits, dragged the massive warship forward with unstoppable momentum—crashing headlong toward the gaping, beastlike maw of the [Dark Floating Fortress]!

With a thunderous screech of metal, the [White Base] rammed into the fortress’s interior structures, grinding through steel and stone!

The impact crushed the bow and sent sparks and smoke flying—still, the landing was successful!

Yet the danger was far from over!

“Watch out!”

Mai’s warning came just in time.

From the shadows lining both walls, countless blue silhouettes darted out like ghosts—

The fortress guards—[Armed Ninja]!

Their shuriken glinted ominously—not at the group, but at the [White Base] itself, raining down in a storm of steel!

Then came the impossible—

Before everyone’s eyes, the mighty steel warship began to shrink at rapid speed—until it reverted into a physicalized card form!

With a metallic snap, it was nailed to the floor by a single shuriken!

“Blast it! [Armed Ninja]’s effect destroys one Spell Card!”

The solid deck beneath their feet vanished instantly!

The five felt the ground drop away and crashed heavily from several meters above!

“Ugh—!”

“Gah!”

Thuds and groans echoed as they hit the hard floor, dazed and aching.

“Graaah—!!”

The [Armed Ninja]s shrieked, blades flashing as they surged in from all directions!

At that critical instant, a sharp eagle cry split the air!

[Harpie Lady] dove down, her whip crackling as she struck the front line of ninjas, buying precious seconds!

“Ugh... damn it!”

Joey, through sheer toughness and willpower, was the first to shake off the dizziness and climb to his feet.

Yuto followed, forcing his battered body upright with a grimace.

Mokuba staggered up next, eyes darting anxiously for his brother.

Yuto’s gaze swept over the unconscious Yugi and Mai, then the oncoming ninja horde. Without a moment’s delay, he drew a card.

“No time! Defense Position Summon—[RX-77-2 Guncannon]!”

A red, heavily armored Mobile Suit materialized before them, twin cannons mounted on its shoulders like fortress turrets.

It knelt low, cannons aimed squarely at the advancing enemy—a bastion of steel!

One [Armed Ninja] tried to flank it for a back attack.

The [Guncannon] instantly rotated a shoulder turret—its muzzle flashed red!

BOOM!

The ninja was obliterated instantly!

“Move out!”

Yuto acted fast, hauling the unconscious Yugi onto his shoulder.

“Got it!”

Joey understood immediately, lifting the still-dazed Mai into his arms.

Mokuba followed closely behind.

The trio advanced through the fortress’s corridors, using [Guncannon] as a mobile wall. Its shoulder cannons locked onto any threat that appeared, firing with perfect precision as they retreated deeper into the [Dark Floating Fortress].

They ran through the cold, eerie halls until the passage opened into a vast chamber bathed in ominous red light—a massive altar.

At its center stood a small figure in a suit and bowler hat, back turned to them.

Above him, bound to a black cruciform frame by heavy chains—was their long-sought target: Seto Kaiba!

“Big brother—!!”

Mokuba’s eyes welled with tears at the sight of him!

Anger and fear overtook him. Without thinking, he drew a card, shouting with all his might:

“Let him go! I Summon—[Rude Kaiser]! Attack that fiend!!”

“RRAAAGHH—!!”

With a thunderous roar, a towering green reptilian warrior, muscles bulging and axe raised high, materialized!

Its blade howled as it cleaved downward toward the suited demon—[Witty Phantom]!

SPLASH!

With a sickening slash, [Witty Phantom] was split clean in two before it could even turn around, vanishing into smoke!

[Rude Kaiser] swung again, effortlessly breaking the chains that bound Kaiba!

“Gah...!”

Kaiba fell forward from the cross, caught by Mokuba’s arms.

He opened his eyes, gaze sweeping over Mokuba’s tear-streaked face—then over Joey, Yuto with Yugi on his shoulder, and Mai standing nearby, just waking up and blushing faintly.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes before pride masked it once more. He snorted lightly, his voice weak but still sharp.

“Hmph... Mokuba... and Yuto?”

“Big brother! You’re okay!”

Mokuba hugged him tightly, sobbing.

“Now’s not the time for reunions!”

Yuto’s voice was firm, scanning the shadows as the sound of footsteps echoed—they were surrounded again.

“Let’s move!”

The six of them didn’t stop, fleeing swiftly from the altar chamber.