Misawa's premonition about a certain level of truth wasn't wrong. Chaos Decks didn't rely on Trap Card power, and in fact, the champion build from that year itself aimed to incorporate the Trap Card lockdown "Royal Decree".
Because the Chaos archetype's main force was overwhelmingly strong compared to other Decks at the time, the prerequisite of both sides being locked down by Traps naturally gave the Chaos side the advantage.
Yugen: "Activate the Continuous Spell 'Mirage of Nightmare'! During the opponent's Standby Phase, draw cards until you have four in your hand, but during your own Standby Phase, you must randomly discard cards equal to the number you drew.
Finally, set one more card face-down and end my turn."
Misawa: "My turn, draw!"
In the middle of a turn, the situation suddenly reversed, becoming overwhelmingly disadvantageous for him. He absolutely had to think of some way out in this turn.
"Activate the Spell Card 'Card of Adversity'! If the opponent controls a Special Summoned monster, and you control no monsters, draw two cards from your Deck!" (Original Card)
A life-saving treasure, seeing the two cards just drawn, Misawa couldn't help but show a happy expression.
It's here! A move to turn the tables!
"It seems my Deck hasn't given up the number one throne yet."
Misawa raised his head and smiled, while also raising his hand above the Duel Disk. Golden light burst forth from the Graveyard Zone of the Duel Disk.
"Number one, do you know what happens to carbon when it receives tremendous pressure?"
Yugen: "It turns into a diamond?"
He vaguely remembered Misawa saying similar words in the original work.
"Ah, as expected of number one. Not bad!" Misawa said, "During my turn 1, I discarded to the Graveyard through 'Mathematician's' effect, it was 'Carboneddon'!
Carboneddon's effect. This card can only be activated when there are ten or more cards in this card's pile in the Graveyard after this card goes to the Graveyard!
Banish 'Carboneddon' from play; you can Special Summon one 'Hyozanryu' from your hand or Graveyard!" (Anime Effect)
Perfectly fitting with the scholar Misawa's character setting, especially the effect, although according to this original effect, it's a bit difficult to use in practice. Carboneddon received a major buff after being actually carded; it doesn't need to satisfy this headache-inducing "ten cards in the Graveyard pile" condition. It can Special Summon any Level 7 or lower Dragon-Type normal monster from the Deck or Graveyard by banishing itself from the Graveyard. It's not limited to just "Hyozanryu," but there's an added restriction that it must be Summoned in Defense Position.
"Currently, there are over ten cards piled above 'Carboneddon' in my Graveyard, so the effect is activated! Evolve into a brilliant diamond form and descend——
——Level 7, Hyozanryu, Summon!"
Without seeing this dragon's eye-catching brilliance, it was almost impossible to open one's eyes. A giant dragon gleaming with sparkling light soared into the sky, with a shower of light scattering like rain, carrying an unparalleled magnificent aura of a diamond dragon.
[Hyozanryu, ATK 2100]
The kind of card that definitely isn't very powerful, but looking at it definitely makes one uncomfortable.
Looking at Asuka on the platform: "In the first turn, he activated 'Mathematician's' effect and sent a monster to the Graveyard, so did that Misawa Daichi arrange all this from the very beginning of the duel?"
"But Hyozanryu's power isn't enough to break the current situation," Marufuji Ryo said. "He should still have other follow-up moves, right?"
Sure enough, Misawa confidently smiled: "After Black Luster Soldier comes Meteor B. Dragon, legendary monsters one after another. Then I also want to burn all my strength and fight you!"
Activate the Equip Spell Card 'Megamorph' from my hand and equip it to 'Hyozanryu'!
When your Life Points are lower than your opponent's, the equipped monster's original ATK becomes twice its original ATK!"
[Hyozanryu, ATK 2100 → ATK 4200]
"Attack power of 4200!" The students couldn't help but riot again.
The situation reversed once again!
"Go, Hyozanryu! Attack 'Chaos Sorcerer'!"
Yugen had 1600 LP left, and Chaos Sorcerer's ATK was only 2300. This attack could directly inflict 1900 massive damage.
Misawa was counter-killing when he reached his limit!
Hyozanryu opened its mouth, and lightning flowing through its body poured into its mouth, transforming into a spiral beam of light that surged forth!
"Open face-down card!" Yugen waved his hand, "Trap Card - Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert!"
"Muda!" Misawa shouted, "'Royal Decree' is still on the field, any Trap Card is useless!"
"I know." Yugen raised his hand, "Therefore, I immediately activate the second face-down card, Quick-Play Spell - Malice Dispersion! Discard one card from your hand; destroy all Continuous Trap Cards on the field.
Destroy 'Royal Decree'!"
Misawa immediately understood: "So that's it. When activating a Chain, the effects are processed in reverse order, so by the time 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert's' effect is applied, the Continuous Trap 'Royal Decree' is no longer on the field, so the Trap Card effect can be processed normally."
"That's right."
While speaking, a black storm swept up the back row Trap Cards, and the tyrannical impact shattered the Trap Cards into pieces.
"Therefore, 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert's' effect is normally applied. When the opponent declares an attack with a monster, Special Summon one monster from your hand in Defense Position. At the same time, the opponent's attacking monster must forcefully attack the monster Summoned by this effect!" (Original Effect)
Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert, also from the «Yu-Gi-Oh! R» Machiners Deck that came out of DM.
Misawa understood: "So that's it, by simply Special Summoning a defensive monster from my hand, I can evade the damage and also protect 'Chaos Sorcerer'."
"It is like that, but what I want to do is not just evade damage."
Yugen smiled and waved his hand.
"According to 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert's' effect, Special Summon 'D.D. Warrior Lady' from my hand in Defense Position and force her to battle 'Hyozanryu'!"
Misawa: "Nani! ? ?"
It was actually D.D. Warrior Lady...
[D.D. Warrior Lady, DEF 1600]
As a good student, Misawa naturally couldn't have forgotten what this guy's effect was...
"Stop! I won't attack! Hyozanryu, return!"
"Muda. The monster Summoned by 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert' must forcefully battle the opponent's monster that declared the attack!" Yugen said, "Then it's 'D.D. Warrior Lady's' effect!
After battling the opponent's monster, both monsters are banished from play!"
D.D. Warrior Lady jumped up, initiating a suicide attack. She powerfully took Hyozanryu's attack, the longsword slashed through, space shattered, and a powerful suction force immediately sucked Hyozanryu and herself together into a swirling vortex, joining their dimensional travel companions.
Misawa's eyes were bloodshot: "My Hyozanryu..."
Hyozanryu with 4200 ATK, rounding it up, an Obelisk...
"Ugh... Then I set three cards face-down and end my turn," Misawa said.
Royal Decree was destroyed, signifying the official end of his Anti-Spell/Trap lockdown strategy. But thinking on the bright side, at least he could use Traps now. In this overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation for him, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.
There's still a chance!
"My turn, draw," Yugen said, "Activate Quick-Play Spell 'Mystical Space Typhoon', destroy 'Mirage of Nightmare', so I don't need to discard cards based on that side effect anymore.
Then it's the Battle Phase. 'Meteor B. Dragon' direct attack!"
"Not so fast! Enter the Battle Phase, activate face-down card! Trap Card 'Threatening Roar'!"
Rings upon rings of invisible sound waves burst forth from the Trap Card, sweeping across Yugen's field. Meteor B. Dragon let out a soft growl and raised its dragon claws to cover its ears.
Misawa: "'Threatening Roar's' activation prevents the opponent from declaring an attack this turn!"
Yugen: "If that's the case, then I'll just set one monster card face-down on the field and end my turn."
"My turn!
Activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed', draw two more cards from the Deck."
Misawa drew a card, frowned slightly, seemingly still unable to draw a card to turn the tables.
"Taking a gamble, activate face-down card, Trap Card 'Reckless Greed'! Skip the next two Draw Phases as the cost, draw two more cards from the Deck!"
The duel had reached this point. If he couldn't decide the victory in this turn, his initial advantage would have become even more distant.
A desperate fight to the end!
"Open face-down card, Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted'! Special Summon a monster from the Graveyard in Attack Position!" Misawa shouted, "I Special Summon that card I discarded to the Graveyard in the initial turn!
Lord of the cosmos, who rules the world over millions——
——Level 8, Cosmo Queen!"
[Cosmo Queen, ATK 2900]
"Then, activate the Ritual Spell 'Ritual of Lithmus' from my hand!" Misawa shouted, "Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 8 or more; Ritual Summon 'Litmus Doom Swordsman' from your hand!
I tribute the Level 8 'Cosmo Queen' on the field!
With the sword in hand, sever all darkness and evil! Ritual Summon——
——Level 8, Litmus Doom Swordsman!!!"
Cosmo Queen disappeared in the ritual flames, replaced by a swordsman wielding dual blades, an elegant crimson helmet soared up.
[Litmus Doom Swordsman, ATK 0]
"Litmus Doom Swordsman's original ATK is 0, but when a face-up Trap Card is on the field, its ATK increases by 3000!" Misawa said, "I have the Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted' on the field, so its ATK increases by 3000!"
[Litmus Doom Swordsman, ATK 0 → ATK 3000]
This was the final ace monster Misawa Summoned in his duel against Judai in the original work.
"So that's it." Yugen smiled, "'Litmus Doom Swordsman' is unaffected by any Trap Card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle, a Ritual Monster.
Did you specifically choose this thing to fight me, besides 'Royal Decree', as another set of plans to counter me?"
"Not bad, this is the most suitable ace monster I chose to decide the victory with you!"
"But I probably don't need to remind you that even if there are Traps on the field, its ATK still can't catch up to 'Meteor B. Dragon', right?"
"I know!" Misawa said, "But I haven't conducted my Normal Summon this turn yet!
The card I want to Summon is this card, the monster I entrust my victory to——
——Copycat!"
A Level 1 Spellcaster-Type monster, holding a small mirror in its hand, obscuring its face.
[Copycat, ATK 0]
"Copycat's effect: You can declare 1 monster on the field, and this card's ATK and DEF become the same as that monster's original ATK and DEF until the End Phase. I want to use this card to copy your 'Meteor B. Dragon'!"
The little illusionist's mirror locked onto the huge black dragon. The dragon's image reflected in the mirror, and the small magician instantly replicated the same huge black dragon's posture!
[Copycat, ATK 0 → ATK 3500]
The situation on the field instantly turned into two Meteor B. Dragons confronting each other!
"It's not over yet! Reactivate Spell Card 'Double Attack'! Discard one Monster Card from your hand; choose one monster you control whose Level is lower than the discarded monster's Level, that chosen monster can attack twice this turn!"
Misawa sent one card from his hand to the Graveyard.
"I discard the Level 8 'Water Dragon' from my hand and choose the Level 1 'Copycat' on the field!
This turn, 'Copycat' can attack twice!"
The surrounding students erupted in commotion again.
From this desperate situation, facing the absolute oppressive power of Chaos, Misawa Daichi stubbornly found another breakthrough!
Outside the arena, Judai was even more excited: "Immediately reversing the situation from such a scene. Misawa is really strong!"
Manjome narrowed his eyes, glaring at Yugen, muttering as if to himself, "You're not just like this, are you?"
He wouldn't allow this stray dog to be defeated by others before he got to duel him again!
"'Copycat's' first attack, first attack 'Chaos Sorcerer'!"
The illusion magician, mimicking a black dragon, opened its mouth wide, and a tyrannical shockwave erupted. Chaos Sorcerer was instantly swallowed by raging flames, blasted into ashes by a single blow.
[Yugen, LP 1600 → LP 400]
Yugen swayed and took two steps back, smiling slightly: "Impressive, number two."
"Unexpectedly, you can still be so calm, number one," Misawa smiled, "Then it seems I still need to work harder.
Next is the second attack! Copycat, attack 'Meteor B. Dragon'!"
The two powerful black dragons opened their mouths together, meteor flames showering down on each other without any reservation! Meteor flames violently collided in the center of the duel field, endless lava spread out, engulfing the entire field, until both black dragons were almost melted away.
Misawa's momentum was like a rainbow.
Meteor B. Dragon, destroyed!
"Then it's 'Litmus Doom Swordsman' attack on the face-down monster!"
He could feel it, he could feel it, the scales of victory were starting to tip back towards him again!
Litmus Doom Swordsman was one of his strongest ace monsters. Blue-Eyes White Dragon-level ATK, cannot be destroyed by battle, and has strong resistance to ignoring Traps, the most suitable card to deal with the ace monster in front of him!
He could already see the dawn of victory.
"The face-down monster you attacked is 'D.D. Warrior'," Yugen calmly said, "When this card battles a monster, both that monster and this card are banished from play."
[D.D. Warrior, DEF 1000]
Misawa: "."
Spectating students: "."
Once again, the dimension cracked open, boundless suction released, Misawa's invincible Litmus Doom Swordsman and D.D. Warrior were simultaneously sucked into the vortex, leaving no trace.
What resistance to destruction, what ignoring Traps, all instantly turned into smoke.
In front of the invincible Dimension Slash, all living beings are equal, all are sent to another dimension.
No one exclaimed, no one explained, for a moment, no one made any sound.
Eerie silence.
After half a day of silence, Marufuji Ryo weakly said: "Your judgment of him wasn't wrong, indeed he's not a Duelist whose strategy can be easily sealed and stopped."
"Yeah..." Asuka's gaze was complicated.
How to put it...
One can only say that sometimes, when a dog wants to act like a human, its temperament might be unstoppable.
"My turn, draw."
Yugen calmly and naturally continued his operations in the midst of the silence.
"Activate Spell Card 'Card of Burial Magic'! Banish three Spell Cards from your Graveyard from play, draw two cards from your Deck." (Original Card)
Three Spell Card images appeared from the Graveyard Zone, turning into golden light and dissipating.
"Banish 'Delinquent Duo', 'Card Destruction', and 'Graceful Charity' from the Graveyard from play; draw two cards."
"Activate Spell Card 'The Warrior Returning Alive', return one Warrior-Type monster from your Graveyard to your hand.
I return 'Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning' to my hand.
Next, banish from play the LIGHT attribute 'Shining Angel' that was discarded to the Graveyard earlier by 'Card Destruction' and the DARK attribute 'Chaos Sorcerer' in the Graveyard.
Offer the souls of light and darkness to the field of chaos, call forth the strongest warrior in legend! Heaven and Earth Split Open——
——Level 8, Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, once more!"
Blinding golden light erupted from within the chaotic vortex, a tyrannical beam of light struck down onto the ground. The light and dark blade cleaved open chaos, the legendary warrior gathered power, ready to strike.
[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]
Misawa: "."
"Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, direct attack on Misawa-kun——
——Genesis Twin Destruction Slash!!!"
Light and dark forces converged on the blade, the sword light slashed down. Misawa raised his head, staring blankly as the sword light came closer and closer to him, then sighed and closed his eyes.
Oh well, whatever...
He had tried his best.
[Misawa, LP 500 → LP 0]