Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!

"It's hard to believe something like this actually exists," Ryota muttered, his grip on the boat's wheel tightening. After considerable persuasion from the trio, he had finally come to terms with the reality of time travel—though his skeptical expression showed he was still wrestling with the idea.

"Then again," he continued, as if trying to rationalize his disbelief, "considering incidents like Duel Monsters materializing and rampaging, the idea of time travel doesn't seem entirely impossible." Despite his words, he kept sneaking glances at Hoshino, his tanned face faintly flushed with embarrassment.

What's with this pure-hearted reaction from a man in his twenties...? Hoshino thought, exasperated.

"Stop wasting time, Ryota! Let's get moving!" Jonouchi barked, showing zero concern for politeness despite being a guest on someone else's boat.

Snapped out of his daze, Ryota straightened, regaining his sharp and determined demeanor. "Just so we're clear, the waters around the academy are swarming with Duel Monsters. Luckily, all three of us are duelists, so if anything happens, we should be able to handle it."

Hearing this, Musashi puffed up indignantly, her arms crossed. "What do you mean, 'the three of us'? Don't ignore my combat abilities! I'll have you know I'm the strongest here, and protecting Master is my job!"

Having recovered from the initial shock of Hoshino's time-travel revelation, Ryota finally turned his attention to the oddly dressed Musashi. His brow furrowed. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask... is she a cosplayer or something? A friend of yours, Hoshino?"

"Let's just go with that..." Hoshino muttered wearily. After dealing with so many problems since the morning, she no longer had the energy to explain.

"Alright, everyone hold on tight! We're setting sail!" Ryota's voice carried a note of pride as the engine of his old fishing boat roared to life. Despite its weathered appearance, the vessel moved swiftly, cutting through the water with surprising ease.

Ryota stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The pride and poise of a seasoned sailor radiated from him as he expertly navigated the open sea.

"Urgh! Why am I getting seasick? I never used to!" Musashi groaned, her face pale as she clung to the railing for support.

"She's probably useless for now," Hoshino sighed, shaking her head. Some protector. If anything happens, she'll probably be the first one eaten by a fish.

.

..

...

About ten minutes into their journey, with nothing but endless blue in every direction, the initial excitement of the boat ride began to fade. Both Jonouchi and Hoshino found themselves growing restless.

"So, Ryota," Jonouchi finally said, breaking the silence, "what are you heading to the academy for at a time like this?"

Ryota didn't take his eyes off the water as he answered. "The academy sent out a call for help to all professional duelists. I was delayed by some business, but it seems like fate that I ran into you at the dock."

Jonouchi smacked his fist into his palm. "Oh, right! You're a pro now!"

"Only semi-pro," Ryota clarified modestly. "Fishing's still my main job. I just enter tournaments occasionally for extra cash. But honestly, Jonouchi, with your skills, it's a waste not to go pro. The professional scene has plenty of strong duelists, but top-tier talents like you are rare."

Jonouchi scratched his head, his expression sheepish. "I just don't like the idea of being tied down by the title of a 'professional duelist.' I'd rather keep Duel Monsters as something special—a hobby tied to my most precious memories with my friends."

Ryota smiled, his respect for Jonouchi evident. "Everyone has their own path, I guess."

Jonouchi quickly changed the subject. "But if the academy's calling for all pro duelists, things must be worse than we thought."

Ryota nodded, his tone serious. "I've got a bad feeling about it too. I just hope this doesn't hurt the future of Duel Monsters."

Duel Monsters rampages had only been occurring for a few days, causing varying degrees of damage across the globe. However, no government had issued any official statements regarding these incidents.

If these events led to Duel Monsters being classified as dangerous, it could have catastrophic consequences for the game's future

Meanwhile, at Duel Academy's Chancellor's office...

"Sending students to the frontlines is absolutely absurd, Professor Crowler!"

The voice belonged to a silver-haired woman with black-rimmed glasses, her delicate features contorted in anger as she slammed her hands on the desk. Her sharp glare was directed at the flamboyant man standing beside her.

Crowler, visibly uncomfortable, averted his gaze and stammered in his peculiar accent, "Signora Hoshino, you musta understanda, these-a da extraordinary times! To protec-ta da academy from da 'Beast Wave,' everyone musta contributa~!"

The "Beast Wave" was the academy's term for the relentless swarms of rampaging Duel Monsters attacking the island. The sheer volume of creatures justified the ominous name.

Chancellor Sheppard, sitting behind the desk, tried to mediate with a nervous smile. "Now, now, let's not argue. After such a long night of battles, we should use this brief reprieve to recover our strength."

"Shut up, Chancellor!" Hoshino snapped, glaring at him with such intensity that he instinctively ducked. "Do you even realize how many students were hurt because of Crowler's orders?"

Sheppard wiped the sweat from his bald head with a handkerchief and shot Crowler a sympathetic glance. He knew better than to intervene further.

Despite her outburst, Hoshino Chiyuki wasn't just any teacher.

Known among the students as the "Shining Star Magician," she was undefeated in duels since joining the academy. Even alumni who had gone on to become professional duelists had suffered crushing defeats at her hands during their school days.

More importantly, she had a mysterious connection to the academy's real boss, Seto Kaiba. Her fearlessness in treating Kaiba himself like an equal often left others questioning who truly held the reins at Duel Academy.

Though her blunt attitude and fiery temper were a constant headache for Sheppard and Crowler, Hoshino's dedication to her students made her beloved among them. She was a rare combination of beauty, strength, and unshakable resolve.

You've got to respect her... even if she's terrifying.

"In any case, students are absolutely forbidden from going to the frontlines of tonight's 'Beast Wave,' even Obelisk Blue students!" Hoshino declared, her voice sharp and resolute. Her glare pierced through Crowler, leaving no room for negotiation.

Crowler bristled, his bright attire fluttering slightly as he shifted in discomfort. It wasn't easy being openly criticized by someone so much younger. Yet, he couldn't deny the reality—his prior decisions had resulted in numerous student injuries during the last incident.

"Signora, from Beast Wave, she's getting stronger by the day." Crowler countered, his thick accent both dramatic and genuine. "If we keep dilly-dallyin' like dis, you wanna see da academy vanish from da history books?"

Hoshino's expression hardened. "Professor Crowler, dueling was never meant to be cruel. The academy's purpose is to teach students the joy and perseverance of dueling—not to throw them into life-threatening battles that leave them with nothing but fear and resentment toward Duel Monsters."

Debating wasn't Crowler's strong suit, and he was keenly aware of his guilty conscience in this matter. Yet, he had earned his position through skill, not appearance, and he wasn't about to back down so easily.

"Youse empty idealism ain't gonna save us, Signora. If tonight's Beast Wave grows too strong—even for da pro duelists—how ya gonna take responsibility for that, huh?"

Hoshino's unwavering gaze met his, brimming with conviction. "I will. I'll fill the gap left by withdrawing the students myself."

Crowler faltered, his confidence shaken. The idea of replacing the combined strength of hundreds of students with just one person was absurd. Either this woman had unfathomable strength, or she was entirely delusional.

"M-Master, is this really okay?" Illya, semi-transparent and floating behind Hoshino, materialized from her deck. Her soft voice was laced with concern. Naturally, in her spirit form, she was invisible to both Chancellor Sheppard and Crowler.

"You were already exhausted from last night's fight! If you overwork me again tonight, I'll break down for sure, QAQ!" Illya's expression mirrored that of an overworked office worker on the verge of collapse.

Unable to speak aloud, Hoshino reached back and gently pinched Illya's soft cheeks, silently apologizing for the burden she was about to place on her.

Crowler's accented voice broke through the moment. "Don' ge' so full-a yaself, Signora Hoshino!" His tone was both passionate and unintentionally comical. "Youse t'ink you alone can replace da academy's forces? Youse t'ink you're da Yugi Muto or somethin'?"

At the mention of that familiar name, Hoshino blinked before a sly smile spread across her face. "Yugi might not be able to, but I can. Also, Professor Crowler, you're unusually bold today—are you looking to be taught a lesson?"

"Mamma mia!" Crowler yelped, instinctively taking a step back. Realizing how ridiculous he looked, he quickly tried to compose himself.

Sensing his hesitation, Hoshino leaned forward with a devilish grin. "How about this? Let's stop arguing and settle this with a duel. If you win, you can decide the students' role tonight."

Turning to Chancellor Sheppard, she added with a radiant smile, "What do you think of this resolution, Chancellor?"

"F-Fine! Fine! I think it's a wonderful idea," Sheppard stammered, dabbing his sweat-soaked forehead with a handkerchief. If this duel could bring an end to the heated dispute, he'd gladly allow it.

Crowler's face turned an even more vibrant shade as he realized he had no choice. Hoshino's seemingly harmless smile now looked like the grin of a predator about to pounce.

"Fine! Justa don' regretta it later, Signora Hoshino! Da strengtha of a professore at thisa accademia ain't somethin' to be underestimat-ed!" Cornered, Crowler resorted to bluffing his way through.

Meanwhile, on the ocean—

"Now I finally understand why even other boats with duelists onboard are avoiding the academy's waters!" Jonouchi shouted, gripping the boat's railing as a massive sea beast emerged from the depths, nearly capsizing Ryota's vessel.

The ambush came without warning, leaving the duelists onboard scrambling to react.

Ryota grinned wildly, his hands steady on the helm. The old fishing boat roared to life, leaving a trail of white foam as it sped across the waves. "Yah-ho! You think you can catch Ryota, son of the sea? You Duel Monsters have another thing coming!"

Clinging tightly to the railing, Hoshino shouted over the chaos, "Why is this tiny boat so fast?! This makes no sense!"

"Of course it doesn't!" Ryota replied with pride. "I used all the prize money I earned from tournaments to modify this boat—my father's legacy. After all, I'm a man who's going to conquer the seas!"

"You spent your tournament winnings... on this boat?" Hoshino muttered, baffled by his logic. Once again, this man's thought process defied reason.

Still, thanks to Ryota's absurdly fast boat, the pursuing sea beasts began falling behind, granting the group a brief reprieve.

"Sorry, but I don't have any powerful water monsters in my deck," Jonouchi admitted, scratching his head sheepishly. His Red-Eyes deck wasn't exactly designed for aquatic combat.

Struggling to activate the duel disk gifted to her by Mai, Hoshino muttered, "Monsters suited for aquatic combat, huh? In that case—Martha Ruler!"

From the waves beside the boat, a figure emerged. Martha, effortlessly standing atop the churning waters, ran toward the massive sea beast with supernatural grace. Her expression was calm, her movements fluid and deliberate.

[Holy Maiden of the Waterside B+: A skill representing Martha's deep connection to water. Her attack power increases near watersides, reflecting her spiritual ties and mastery over aquatic combat.]

With a fierce battle cry, Martha leaped into the air, her fist glowing with divine energy. "Iron Fist of Judgment!"

Her punch landed squarely on the sea beast's head, sending a shockwave rippling through the water. The monster roared in pain before retreating beneath the surface.

"Did she just punch a sea monster?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Of course she did," Hoshino replied dryly, her tone a mix of pride and resignation. "That's just Martha for you."

(*****)

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