"Hikaru's gone crazy, he said he's going to start a new Fusion Club!"
"What? What? A new Fusion Club?"
"Did you hear? Hikaru actually applied to leave the Fusion Club!"
"Oh my god, seriously? That Hikaru?"
Duel Academy was particularly lively today. The Academy wasn't too big nor too small, essentially just a small island.
Students ran into each other constantly, so word spread fast. Any exciting news would become known school-wide in no time.
Like the mansion on the lake or the coliseum in the forest.
These things became common knowledge within a couple of days, thanks to the students' tireless thirst for gossip.
What's more, Hikaru was the first-year representative, who had just participated in a "world-class" exchange tournament and was considered a campus celebrity.
On top of that, he was a notorious "Fusion extremist so extreme even other extremists called him excessive," a true fusion fanatic. Someone like that leaving the Fusion Club and even creating a new one, with a name already decided, application submitted, and seemingly on the verge of getting an activity room, how could that not be shocking!?
"So, are we still staying in the Fusion Club?"
"Hmm... what kind of cards does Hikaru have?"
First-year students, especially from Ra Yellow and Slifer Red, didn't have much loyalty to the Fusion Club. Most of them joined because of the "Ancient Gear" deck. Ordinary students had a hard time obtaining rare cards, which was why the Fusion Club had grown so quickly, even earning its own purple uniform.
But if Hikaru's new club could offer similar department-exclusive deck support, they might be ready to jump ship.
After all, they were already fed up with bullying from upperclassmen and Obelisk Blue students in the Fusion Club.
"I heard Professor Crowler also gave Hikaru his approval and said they could use Ancient Gear decks too, and that's originally Crowler's deck, right? Hikaru's his student; of course, he'd support him more."
"Eh, that makes sense!"
...
In the disciplinary office, Leo Akaba crossed his arms, frowning with clear irritation.
"What's all that noise outside?"
"Uh..."
"Speak!" Akaba's brows were tightly furrowed. Those who knew him understood this was one of his rare displays of anger.
Any more delay, and he might "take action".
"Professor, we heard... Amagi Hikaru left the Fusion Club."
"Hmm?" Akaba turned around, confused. "What did you say?"
The Ra Yellow third-year, among others who had been addressed, jolted under Akaba's gaze and quickly bowed his head.
"Well... Hikaru... Amagi thought the current Fusion Club wasn't 'fused' enough. The students weren't pure, always involved in nonsense, even bullying others. He was dissatisfied and decided to break away and form his own."
He was horrified.
Leo Akaba was a man of absolute authority and cold resolve. Anyone who displeased him would be "utterly destroyed." Not only had Amagi Hikaru disobeyed him, he even dared to "form his own faction. Wouldn't that earn his deepest ire?
And as a senior of Ra Yellow, to not notice Hikaru's plans and only now report to the professor—surely, he was in for punishment.
"That's good news," Akaba muttered instinctively.
"Eh?"
The three third-years all let out a sound of surprise.
"No, nothing," Akaba turned away. For some reason, he felt just a bit lighter.
Just a little bit.
'Could it be that old fool Crowler got scared?'
His mood improved slightly.
In truth, his frustration wasn't actually caused by Hikaru or the commotion outside.
It was, Celina.
Technically, she could be considered his daughter.
She was currently a second-year student in Duel Academy's Junior Division. Once discovered by him, she was taken to his lab as a "promising seedling" to train her dueling abilities.
Or rather, as the vessel for the revival of his true "daughter."
However, previously, that research lab, which had been studying parasites and spirits while carrying out his mission to duel Hikaru and obstruct Crowler and the others, had encountered an unbelievable incident and completely lost contact.
He had sent his soldiers to investigate, but there'd been no word since.
Nonetheless, he didn't care what Celina had been through; he only needed to find her quickly.
Initially, upon hearing Hikaru's name again, he had been furious and nearly considered dealing with the boy himself, but instead, he heard such wonderful news!
To him, Fusion Club, Dimensional Club, or whatever name they used didn't matter.
What he needed were absolutely loyal, controllable "soldiers," cannon fodder who would further his grand vision.
In contrast, people like Amagi Hikaru and those willing to follow him, the true "Fusion Supremacists," were the "toxic blood."
If that group was willing to leave, that was actually a good thing.
Which was why he instinctively said, "That's good news."
'Hmph.'
He didn't know what had happened in Neo Domino City, but apparently, that old fool Crowler still cared too much about his student's safety. In that sense, he was nothing like Akaba.
Crowler probably didn't want his student facing danger again, so he let him split off, huh?
'Heh heh heh heh. Crowler, in the end, I still win!'
"It doesn't matter. Students are free to join whatever club they want," Akaba declared.
The three third-year students stared at Akaba, dumbfounded, wondering if someone had impersonated him. The gloom Akaba felt over Celina's disappearance had eased slightly.
But after pondering a moment, another idea struck him.
He couldn't just pretend to be indifferent and let Hikaru do as he pleased.
And wasn't this a perfect place to train and test soldiers?
"Still, who gets to decide which one is the real Fusion Club?"
"Eh?"
"You mean..."
"You three. Go destroy them."
"Us?" The three looked at each other. Even the leader from Obelisk Blue protested, "That's impossible, Professor! They invited Zane Truesdale into the club!
There's no way we can beat him!"
'Take down Zane Truesdale?'
'Would they win?'
'No chance!'
Zane was the undisputed "Emperor" of the third-years, not some "uncrowned" champion, but the formally "crowned" top Duelist of the Academy. The absolute strongest they had all lost to him. And now they were supposed to go against him?
Even setting Zane aside, Hikaru, Jaden Yuki, and Bastion Misawa were the top three duelists of the first-years!
Akaba's expression darkened as he stared at the three. "Did I not make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir!" The three stood at attention, terrified.
"I don't care if you go yourselves or recruit by the year—"
"Get it done."
"Yes, sir!"