Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!

"Mirror Force, activate!"

A holy blue radiance condensed in front of Kira, forming a translucent shield that blocked the Light and Darkness Dragon's breath.

"What?" Chazz frowned. "It's useless! I already told you, no number of traps matter in front of the Light and Darkness Dragon!"

Light and Darkness Dragon's effect activated again, lowering its ATK by 500 to negate Mirror Force—

"Huh!?"

Chazz watched as the Light and Darkness Dragon ignored his command and continued to breathe at the reflective shield, his heart skipping a beat.

Why?

Why didn't the effect activate?

"I take back what I said earlier. Looks like you haven't fully understood your new friend's power after all, Chazz," Kira smiled.

"It sounds unbeatable—any effect activation is negated—but in actual duels, you'll quickly see it's not as great as it seems."

Because the Light and Darkness Dragon actually has a hidden restriction:

"This effect can only be activated once per chain."

This rule is clearly written on the card in later editions, but the old version didn't say so. Konami only clarified it in their rulings: "It can only be activated once per chain."

So, at the moment of the attack declaration, Kira first activated "No Entry!!" to switch the opponent to Defense Position. The Light and Darkness Dragon's effect was forced to activate and negated it, but Kira immediately chained "Mirror Force."

Since both were activated in the same chain at the attack declaration, the Light and Darkness Dragon's negation had already been used up on "No Entry!!," so it couldn't negate Mirror Force's activation.

"Well, the Light and Darkness Dragon does have weaknesses. Remember this after today. No need for thanks," Kira smiled.

"Mirror Force's effect resolves. Destroy all Attack Position monsters on your opponent's field."

He waved his hand over Chazz's field.

"Therefore, 'Armed Dragon LV10' and 'Light and Darkness Dragon' are destroyed!"

The Light and Darkness Dragon—defeated!

"Ugh..." Chazz's face grew ugly.

His ultimate trump card, the invincible Light and Darkness Dragon, was eliminated just like that.

It was only now that Chazz realized—

Only one activation per chain, huh...

That really is a big weakness for the Light and Darkness Dragon.

But then, how did Kira know? Even he hadn't realized this!

Chazz glanced at Kira again, finding him more unfathomable than ever. Every time he thought he'd caught up, every time he tried to reclaim the field with confidence, he'd always find that the other side was hiding more than he'd ever realized.

Even if he fought this hard, was the gap between them really not shrinking at all?

No, that can't be.

He refused to accept that.

"Light and Darkness Dragon's final effect!" Chazz shouted. "When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, destroy all cards you control! Then, Special Summon one monster from your Graveyard!"

The spectators held their breath.

A dragon this powerful had another hidden ability?

Chazz drew a card from his Graveyard.

"Revived from the Graveyard once again—

—Armed Dragon LV5!"

[Armed Dragon LV5, ATK 2400]

Armed Dragon LV7 and LV10 have strict summoning conditions; except for LV-specific effects like "Level Up," they can't be Special Summoned by other cards.

"Armed Dragon LV5, direct attack!"

The dragon's claws fell, a red whirlwind roaring towards Kira.

"Then, I discard 'Kuriboh' from my hand," said Kira. "Battle damage becomes 0."

"Kurii!"

Kuriboh leaped out, and the Armed Dragon's claw landed on it, but still couldn't get through.

Still not enough...

Chazz realized he was out of breath.

This was his limit.

"Fine, then I'll end the Battle Phase and activate the Spell Card 'Card of Heaven and Earth.'

In a turn when I performed a Tribute Summon, I draw two cards, but I can't use them this turn; if possible, I must Set at least one." (Manga Cards.)

Chazz drew two, frowned, and then set those two plus another from his hand.

"Set two cards," he said, "and activate Quick-Play Spell 'Super Rejuvenation!'

At the end of this turn, for each Dragon-Type monster I discarded or Tributed this turn, I draw one card.

I discarded one for Trade-In, two for Graceful Charity, and tributed a 'Wish Dragon' and two 'Dragon Tokens.'

So, six cards from my deck!"

Chazz instantly refilled his hand.

As expected from the most powerful Dragon draw engine—really reminiscent of the old Dragon Ruler days.

"My turn, draw!" Kira said. "First, I activate 'Card of Adversity.' If my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and I control none, I draw two cards." (Manga Card.)

Kira drew.

"Next, Field Spell 'Ojama Country.' Once per turn, I can send a 'Ojama' card from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon a 'Ojama' monster from the Graveyard."

He sent a card.

"Discard Spell Card 'Ojama Delta Hurricane!!,' revive—Ojama King!"

[Ojama King, ATK 0]

"And since an Ojama monster is on the field, 'Ojama Country' swaps original ATK and DEF!"

[Ojama King, ATK 3000]

"Ojama King, attack 'Armed Dragon LV5!'"

With a shout, the Ojama King struck a pose, flexed his muscles, and delivered a Superman punch. The Armed Dragon was shattered in a red explosion.

[Chazz, LP 3400 → LP 2100]

"Damn it, beaten again by this loser monster..." Chazz gritted his teeth, shielding himself.

These Ojamas were getting more annoying by the minute.

"Set two cards, end my turn."

"My turn, draw!"

Chazz glared at the Ojama King.

Ever since he learned his opponent in the exhibition match would be Kira, he'd lost sleep, couldn't eat—whenever he closed his eyes, that annoying but gentle smiling face appeared in the darkness.

He'd worked so hard and prepared so much. He thought he was at his peak, but what did he face?

 Ojama Brothers, Ojama Tokens, Ojama King...

The only real monster was Cyber Blader, and even she was just helping the Ojamas...

Was his revenge really going to end at the hands of these clowns?

Don't make me laugh!

"Activate the Trap Card 'Breakthrough Skill' from my Graveyard. Only in my turn can I banish it to negate a monster's effect on the field. I'll negate Ojama King's effect and unlock the Monster Zone!"

He drew a card.

"Then, activate Spell Card 'Monster Reincarnation!' Discard a card to add a monster from my Graveyard to my hand.

I return 'Light and Darkness Dragon' to my hand."

A sense of foreboding swept the arena.

That dragon... is coming back?

"And chain to 'Monster Reincarnation.' Quick-Play Spell 'Celestial Transformation,' Special Summon a Fairy-Type monster from my hand. Its ATK is halved and it's destroyed at the end of the turn.

I Special Summon 'The Agent of Creation - Venus!'"

[The Agent of Creation - Venus, ATK 1600]

"Of course, Venus's ATK and DEF are swapped by 'Ojama King,' and its ATK is halved, but that doesn't matter."

Chazz continued.

"Chain to the effect, I activate Continuous Trap 'Dragon's Rage.'

As long as this card is on the field, when my Dragon attacks a Defense Position monster, if its ATK exceeds DEF, I inflict piercing damage!"

"Oh?" Kira was interested. "Looks like you're setting up something big."

"You'll understand soon," Chazz said. "Next, Quick-Play Spell 'Chain Summoning!' Only usable in Chain Link 3 or higher.

This turn I can Normal Summon up to three times."

"So that's the plan," Kira nodded.

"First, Normal Summon 'Black Brachios!' Its effect changes a monster to face-up Defense Position when summoned," Chazz said.

[Black Brachios Dragon, ATK 1800 → 1100] (ATK/DEF swapped) 2x

He pointed at Ojama King.

"Change Ojama King to Defense!"

[Ojama King, ATK 3000 → DEF 0]

"Ah, I see!" Chumley in the stands realized. "With 'Dragon's Rage,' his dragons can pierce through defense!"

"Trying to OTK with piercing?" Syrus realized.

"…"

"'Chain Summoning,' second Normal Summon," Chazz announced. "I summon a second 'Wish Dragon' and activate its effect—tribute it to Special Summon two Dragon Tokens!"

[Dragon Token, ATK 0] ×2

"Then, 'Chain Summoning,' third Normal Summon.

I tribute both tokens. Light and Darkness converge once more—

—Light and Darkness Dragon, summon!"

The Light and Darkness Dragon, Chazz's new ace, appeared amidst the storm!

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 2800 → 2400] (ATK/DEF swapped) 2x

"Here I go, Kira! Witness my limit!"

He roared.

"Activate Venus's effect!" Chazz said. "Pay 500 LP to Special Summon a 'Mystical Shine Ball' from my deck!"

[Chazz, LP 2100 → LP 1600]

"Eh?" Syrus blinked. "But won't his Light and Darkness Dragon's effect—"

Chazz began to explain: "Correct! My Light and Darkness Dragon's effect auto-activates. ATK and DEF decrease by 500, Venus's effect is negated."

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 2400 → 1900]

Everyone was stunned.

Negating your own effect? What kind of play was this?

"But Venus's effect isn't once per turn, so I pay another 500 LP to Special Summon another 'Mystical Shine Ball.'"

[Chazz, LP 1600 → LP 1100]

Chazz squinted.

"Of course, the effect is negated by the Light and Darkness Dragon again, losing another 500 ATK/DEF."

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 1900 → 1400]

People were even more confused, but Kira seemed to know what Chazz was doing.

Because he'd seen Chazz use a similar move in the manga.

"Continue activating Venus's effect," Chazz said. "Each time, I pay 500 LP, and the Light and Darkness Dragon loses 500 ATK/DEF.

I'll keep going until the Light and Darkness Dragon can't lose another 500."

[Chazz, LP 100]

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 400]

"Deliberately lowering your LP to the lowest..." Syrus murmured. "And the Light and Darkness Dragon is so weak now, its effect can't be used..."

Is this desperation?

Chazz paused, looking up at his battered, exhausted Light and Darkness Dragon.

"Now my Light and Darkness Dragon is just like me not long ago," he muttered. "Hit rock bottom, battered and dying, but—!"

He raised his voice.

"Even if it's hell, I'll crawl back up! Everything that doesn't defeat me only makes me stronger—together with this Dragon!"

He lifted his final trap.

"Watch, Kira! This is the obsession of the defeated! Trap Card 'Reverse Trap!'

Until end of turn, all ATK/DEF decreases become increases!"

The Light and Darkness Dragon now had just 400 ATK, so its effect couldn't activate to negate this. The effect resolved, and now, the Light and Darkness Dragon's ATK/DEF increased by all the amounts it had lost!

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 400/DEF 800 → ATK 4400/DEF 4800]

"NANI?!"

The whole crowd was shocked.

He'd shot up to over 4000 ATK/DEF in a single turn?

"And not only that, its effect is back!" Chazz said urgently. "4400 ATK means it can negate eight more effects!"

"And with 'Dragon's Rage,' its attacks are piercing," Alexis noted. "If it hits Ojama King with zero DEF—"

"OTK?!" Syrus was stunned.

Jaden was hyped: "Awesome combo! Amazing duel!"

"Go, Light and Darkness Dragon! Win this!" Chazz roared. "Crush that trash monster!"

Light and darkness's breath seemed to tear the sky, shake the earth, and annihilate everything.

"This is all of me, back from hell!" Chazz took a step forward. "Every mountain in my way, I'll destroy with this power!"

"Well, having ambition is good," Kira nodded.

"But if you get too caught up in your own world, you'll leave openings."

"What?" Chazz frowned.

"Activate my set card—Quick-Play Spell 'Emergency Provisions,'" Kira said. "Send any number of my Spell/Trap Cards to the Graveyard, gain 1000 LP for each."

"Trying to survive this attack? But my Light and Darkness Dragon will negate it!" Chazz shouted. "Light and Darkness Dragon, lose 500 ATK/DEF to negate 'Emergency Provisions'!"

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 4400/DEF 4800 → ATK 3900/DEF 4300]

"Of course it's negated. But just like when you used 'Mini Guts' to break the Blader lock, only the effect gets negated, not the cost."

Kira explained:

"Sending Spells/Traps to the Graveyard is the activation cost, not the effect. So I send 'Ojama Country' to the Graveyard.

Now, all monsters' ATK/DEF swap back!"

[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 3900 → 4300]

[Ojama King, DEF 0 → 3000]

"So you used the cost to get rid of the Field Spell," Chazz grunted.

"You're not the only one who knows how to exploit costs," Kira smiled.

"But even so, you're still taking a lot of damage. With 'Dragon's Rage,' you'll take piercing damage equal to the difference."

"Don't be hasty. Why do you think I waited until your attack declaration to activate 'Emergency Provisions'?" Kiran smiled.

Chazz's eyes widened, recalling what happened earlier—only one negation per chain!

"Could it be—"

"Exactly. At the attack declaration, I chain my set card! Trap Card—D2 Shield!

Target one face-up Defense Position monster I control. Its DEF becomes double its original value!"

Chazz's eyes bugged out.

Double original DEF? That's—

[Ojama King, DEF 3000 → 6000]

"Six thousand DEF?!"

Ojama King instantly swelled to mountainous proportions.

No... no way...

He'd come so far, played so perfectly, but still couldn't get past an Ojama?

Ojama...

 Chazz nearly wept.

He didn't think he'd ever escape their shadow.

"Ojama!"

The Ojama King shouted, slapping the Light and Darkness Dragon's holy breath back at it, exploding it on the spot.

[Chazz, LP 100 → LP 0]

PS: Bonus Chapter at 500 PS