bookbashuk Page 324
Page 324
The father straightened his tie, looking slightly embarrassed. "Your mother said someone should come and cheer you on." He paused, then added, "And I want to see for myself what kind of competition this is."
A complex mix of emotions welled up within Yuki, finally settling into a smile: "Thank you for coming. I'll show you that this isn't just a simple game."
The father nodded and, unusually, patted his son on the shoulder: "Go. Do what you're supposed to do."
Back on the field, Yuuki felt a surge of strength within him. His first opponent used a mainstream "Dragon" deck, a deck known for its high attack power, which was precisely countered by Yuuki's control-type Hokage.
“Activate the effect of ‘Nara Shikamaru’ to retrieve ‘Shadow Imitation’ from the Graveyard.” Yuki’s maneuver was fluid and confident. “Then set two cards to the back row, and end the turn.”
The opponent scoffed, "Naruto deck? How nostalgic. Let me show you what a modern game is all about."
However, after a few rounds, his opponent's arrogance turned into frustration. Yuki's exquisite maneuvering completely limited his development, and every attempt to unleash a burst of power was interrupted at just the right moment.
"How is this possible..." When Yuki finally ended the match with the "Eight Gates" combo, his opponent stared in disbelief at the display showing his health points had dropped to zero.
Yu Ji shook hands politely: "A wonderful match." He looked up and saw his father in the stands nodding slightly, his face bearing an inscrutable expression.
Meanwhile, Serena also won her match. She jogged over to Yuki, her eyes sparkling: "You'll never guess who I ran into! Last year's national runner-up, I beat him with that chain attack you taught me!"
Yu Ji's eyes widened in surprise: "Really? We've only practiced that chain for three days!"
“So he was completely unprepared!” Serena said smugly, then lowered her voice, “But I saw a few scouts from professional teams watching the game, probably scouting for new talent.”
This news filled Youji with both excitement and nervousness. Being scouted by a professional team is every player's dream, but it also means greater pressure.
During the lunch break, Yuki's father unexpectedly offered to treat the two of them to lunch. The atmosphere was initially a little awkward at the restaurant near the exhibition center.
"So…" the father asked casually, cutting his steak, "Does this kind of competition have prize money?"
Yuki nodded: "The individual championship winner receives 200 million yen, and the doubles champion receives 300 million yen. There are also sponsorship contracts and invitations to professional teams."
The father raised an eyebrow: "That's enough to cover the first year of college."
Serena added softly, "What's more important is exposure and recognition, Uncle. Many game design companies pay attention to these kinds of competitions to find talent."
The father looked at Serena thoughtfully: "Your brother does this kind of work, right?"
The conversation gradually shifted to industry prospects and career planning. Yuji was surprised to find that his father had done a lot of research and even knew some of the technical terms. When Serena mentioned Kenta's new store plan, his father seriously asked several questions about the business model.
"So this isn't just about playing games; it has the potential to become a real career." The father concluded, his tone no longer entirely skeptical.
On the way back to the venue, the father suddenly said to You Ji, "No matter how you do today, I saw your seriousness and preparation. That's the most important thing."
This sentence encouraged Yuki more than any victory.
The afternoon matches were even more intense. Yuuki defeated two opponents using mainstream decks in succession, one of which was even selected as the featured match on the main screen. When his "All Eight Gates Open" combo was displayed on the big screen to the entire audience, the stands erupted in applause.
Serena also performed exceptionally well, her magical girl deck finding a perfect balance between control and burst damage. Yuki watched one of her key matches from the stands, secretly applauding her brilliant maneuvers.
Before the semi-finals, Yuki encountered an unexpected challenge—his opponent was his former research subject, three-time national champion Makoto Kobayashi. This man was known for his ruthless tactics and perfect calculations, a nightmare for countless players.
"A Naruto deck?" Kobayashi pushed up his glasses, his tone curious rather than dismissive. "I've seen your regional tournament replays. A very creative deck."
Yu Ji nodded nervously: "Thank you. I've watched all your match videos."
Kobayashi smiled and said, "Then we know each other very well. Let the audience see a real showdown."
This match was arguably the toughest of Yuki's career. Kobayashi's every move was as precise as a scalpel, completely predicting Yuki's tactics. By the middle game, Yuki had only 1000 life points left, while Kobayashi still had a full 4000.
"This is bad..." Serena muttered to herself as she watched the game, her fingers twisting nervously together.
Yuki looked at his meager hand and the empty court, and took a deep breath. He thought of his practice with Serena, and of her words: "The most spectacular comebacks are made in desperate situations."
"Activate the effect of 'Sakura Haruno' in the Graveyard!" Yuki suddenly shouted. "Ban her and draw a card from your Deck!"
This seemingly ordinary action caused Kobayashi to frown slightly. The card Yuuki drew was "Reversed Chakra," a card he had added to deal with extreme situations.
"Activate 'Reverse Chakra'!" Yuuki continued, "When my HP drops below 1000, I can Special Summon a monster from the Graveyard. Come back, Naruto Uzumaki!"
The blonde ninja reappeared, but with only 1800 attack points, he was unable to turn the tide.
Kobayashi shook his head: "A brave attempt, but not enough. Let's end this. I'm starting..."
"Chain-activate 'Naruto's' effect!" Yuuki interrupted him. "When he is successfully Special Summoned, you can add one 'Ninjutsu' card from your Graveyard to your hand. I choose 'Shadow Clone Technique'!"
For the first time, Kobayashi's expression changed: "But even so..."
"It's not over yet!" Yuki's voice trembled with excitement. "Activate 'Shadow Clone Technique' to summon two Naruto shadow clones! Then activate Naruto's other effect—sacrifice the two shadow clones to increase attack power to 4500!"
The crowd erupted in uproar. Kobayashi's eyes widened: "But I have an 'Effect Immunity Barrier' on my field! Your Naruto can't target my monsters with effects!"
Yuki laughed: "I know. That's why I won't target your monster. Naruto, attack the player directly!"
"What?!" Kobayashi exclaimed, "But my barrier..."
“Naruto’s effect is ‘can directly attack the player,’ not ‘targets the player,’” Yuki explained. “These are different rulings, referee?”
The referee stepped forward to check and nodded: "Correct. Direct attack established."
Kobayashi was stunned, then smiled with admiration: "Brilliant. I completely overlooked that difference."
A direct attack dealing 4500 points! Kobayashi's health points dropped to zero, and thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Yuki, almost exhausted, slumped into his chair until Serena rushed onto the field to hug him, only then realizing he had truly won.
"You did it! You defeated Kobayashi Makoto!" Serena's voice trembled with excitement.
Yu Ji looked up and saw his father standing up and clapping in the stands, his face filled with undisguised pride.
The final match was held in the evening, against a professional player using a "Space Marine" deck. After a grueling battle with Kobayashi, Yuki was nearing his physical and mental limits. Ultimately, he lost the match by a narrow margin, securing second place nationwide.
As Yu Ji watched the champion raise the trophy, he felt little disappointment. He had proven his strength, and more importantly, he had found something more precious than the championship.
The doubles competition was held on the second day. Yuuki and Serena's teamwork became increasingly seamless, and they fought their way through the rounds to reach the finals. Their "Naruto + Magical Girl" combination became a major highlight of the event, with many spectators even cheering them on.
The final opponents were a professional doubles team, both using the strongest decks currently available. The match became a close contest, with both players running out of life points.
At the crucial moment, Serena made an amazing decision: "I activate 'Ultimate Sacrifice' to reduce my life points to 1. Your monsters' attack power is doubled this turn!"
Yuki looked at her in shock: "But if you get hurt in any way..."
"Trust me," Serena smiled, "and trust our bond."
Yuki nodded and launched the final attack: "'Might Guy - Eight Gates Open', a direct attack!"
The attack hits, reducing the opponent's health to zero. Doubles Champion!
During the award ceremony, Serena suddenly kissed Yuki in front of everyone: "This is a reward for the best partner," she whispered, her eyes sparkling.
Cheers and laughter erupted from the audience. Yu Ji blushed, but held her hand tightly.
After the match, as expected, scouts from professional esports teams approached them. Even more excitingly, a well-known game company invited Yugi to participate in the design of a new card series.
"Your creativity and understanding of the game are exactly what we need," the project leader said, "especially your experience in developing niche decks."
Yuji looked at Serena beside him, who nodded encouragingly. He then took a deep breath: "I have one condition. I hope my partner can also participate in the project; she has unique insights into games."
The person in charge smiled and said, "Of course. We watched your doubles match, it was very exciting."
On the Shinkansen home, Yuki and Serena sat side by side, watching the scenery rushing past the window. Their hands were clasped tightly, and the championship trophy sat on the seat between them.
“My parents said they are proud of you.” You Ji looked at the message on her phone and said with a smile, “Dad even asked if I wanted to invest in your brother’s store.”
Serena leaned on his shoulder: "My brother said you're welcome to come work part-time anytime. But for now, you'll probably have to focus on the game company's project."
Yu Ji lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead: "It all feels like a dream. Without you..."
“Without you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far,” Serena interrupted softly. “Remember? You showed me another possibility for card games.”
Outside the window, the sun was setting, painting the sky a brilliant orange-red. Yuki thought back to himself a year ago, the boy who could only practice alone in the card shop, but now he had the title of national runner-up, the opportunity for a professional career, and most precious of all—a lover who understood and supported him.
"The national tournament is over," he said, "but our story is just beginning."
Serena smiled, her fingers intertwined with his: "Yes. Next season, we're going to win both championships."
The train travels smoothly along the tracks, carrying two young people and their shared dreams towards a hopeful future. Before them unfolds a life story more captivating than any card battle.
Chapter 399 Beating Up Marufu Sho
Marufuji Sho stood opposite me, a smile on his face that was a mixture of contempt and confidence. He had just unfolded his Duel Disk, the clanging of the metal components sounding particularly crisp in the afternoon card shop. His fingers lightly traced the cards at the top of the deck, as if caressing a lover's cheek.
"You brought your 'Naruto' deck again?" He scoffed. "Seriously, why don't you just buy a proper deck? This self-created theme has no chance of beating my Cybernetic deck."
I didn't answer, but silently unfolded my Duel Disk. My deck was indeed unconventional—it wasn't even from an officially released themed series. Every single card was designed, drawn, and printed by me based on the Naruto manga. Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake... these characters don't exist in the official Duel Monsters universe at all.
Other players in the shop gradually gathered around. Upon hearing the words "Naruto deck," someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Is it that crazy guy who created his own deck again?"
"Didn't he get utterly thrashed by Brother Xiang last week?"
"Creating your own deck is one thing, but to print such overpowered effects is another..."
Marufuji Sho's Cyber Dragon deck is a legend in the shop. Last month, he made it to the top eight in the city tournament with this deck, becoming an instant sensation. My Naruto deck, on the other hand, has become a joke in everyone's eyes—the pathetic fantasy of a shut-in immersed in his own world.
"First strike is mine, draw the card!" Xiang's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I took a deep breath. Today is different. After weeks of testing and adjustments, I've found a way to make this deck work smoothly. The key isn't the strength of individual cards, but the synergy between them, like a team battle in Naruto.
"I summon Cyber Kirin!" Xiang began his strategy. "Activate the effect: Special Summon Cyber Dragon Core from my hand! Then set two cards to the back row, End of turn!"
A standard electronic opening move. I'm all too familiar with this style of play—rapid expansion, strong pressure, and once he establishes board control, there's almost no chance of a comeback.
My turn.
draw card.
Looking at the cards in my hand, I smiled slightly. Kakashi Hatake, Team 7's coordinated attack, Thousand Years of Death... a perfect hand.
"I activate Field Spell - Konoha Village!" I placed the card on the Duel Disk, and suddenly a few cherry blossoms seemed to fall around me, causing the onlookers to whisper among themselves.
"What kind of effect is this?" Xiang asked impatiently.
"The effect of Konoha Village is that once per turn, I can return one 'Ninja' monster from my hand to the bottom of my deck and then draw a card," I explained. "At the same time, all 'Ninja' monsters gain 200 ATK."
Xiang rolled his eyes: "That's it?"
I ignored it and continued: "Next, I will summon 'Kakashi Hatake'!" A virtual image of a silver-haired Jonin appeared on my field. He stood lazily, one eye squinting and the other covered by his headband.
“Kakashi Hatake’s effect is,” I announced, “that when he is successfully summoned, I can add one ‘Sharingan’ Spell/Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose ‘Sharingan: Copy’!”
Sho's expression became slightly more serious. He had already experienced the troublesome aspects of the Sharingan series before—those cards could copy the effects of the opponent's monsters, disrupting his tactical rhythm.
“It’s not over yet,” I continued. “I’m activating Kakashi’s second effect! Once per turn, discard one card from your hand to Special Summon a ‘Ninja’ monster from your Graveyard. But I can’t use ‘々’ this turn.”
"Enough with the nonsense," Xiang scoffed, "Is it over?"
"No." I smiled. "I'm activating the Permanent Magic—Squad 7 Cooperative Operation!"