"—Super Magician Dragon Slash!!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

[Slifer the Sky Dragon] destroyed

[Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon ATK 3000 → 4000]

"Just using its negation effect to destroy Slifer… that's insane. Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon is seriously strong." Seeing this kind of Fusion Monster for the first time, Hoshino had instinctively played along by boosting its Level—but its overwhelming resistance and destructive power still shocked her.

["Not only did it destroy Slifer, it also gained 1000 ATK from negating Thunderforce, matching Obelisk. As expected of the 'traitor dragon'—always delivering benefits."]

Atem smiled. "This was originally my trump card for when I dueled you. But now isn't the time to hold back."

"You were planning to save something this troublesome for me…" Hoshino muttered under her breath, her lips twitching slightly. "You really don't go easy on people, do you…"

"Full attack! Even the Gods can't withstand the combined power of our Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon!"

After countering and destroying Slifer, Atem raised his arm and immediately entered the Battle Phase, commanding Dragoon to strike at Ra with its 4000 ATK.

"Now that Mound of the Bound Creator is gone, Marik—you're no longer worthy of controlling the Gods! Take this! Super Magician—Rending Wave Slash!"

The crimson dragon greatsword cleaved downward, shattering the ground as a roaring wave of magical energy surged forward like a raging red dragon toward Ra.

With only 2000 Life Points remaining after heavy costs, Marik couldn't withstand a 4000 direct-equivalent blow.

"Damn you, Yugi—no, Atem!" Marik shouted angrily. "I activate my set Trap Card—Mirror Force! Be destroyed by your own attack!"

"That's exactly why I said you're too weak, Marik!" Atem's momentum didn't falter in the slightest—Dragoon's roaring power shattered the reflective barrier instantly.

"—Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon cannot be destroyed by card effects! Not even Mirror Force can save you!"

"Amazing, it's completely overwhelming them!" Eve exclaimed. "If this attack goes through—"

Before she could finish, Ra spread its wings and surged forward to meet the attack, divine flames scattering across the field.

"The Winged Dragon of Ra—absorb the power of the Gods and become my shield! I activate Ra's effect—!"

[During damage calculation: You can Tribute any number of other monsters; this card gains ATK equal to their combined original ATK.]

Blazing divine flames engulfed Obelisk the Tormentor, transferring its power to Ra. In that moment, Ra's ATK rose to match Dragoon's.

[The Winged Dragon of Ra ATK: 0 → 4000]

"Counterattack, Winged Dragon of Ra!—Divine Flame Cannon!!"

Two forces of equal 4000 ATK collided—the Rending Wave Slash and Divine Flame Cannon clashed violently at the center of the Duel Tower, unleashing layers of scorching shockwaves.

[The Winged Dragon of Ra] destroyed

[Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon] destroyed

"They both went down at the last moment?! That's intense!" Eve shielded her face with her arms, barely keeping her eyes open against the heat.

"Both destroyed?" Kaiba stood unfazed despite the raging heat, his coat whipping violently behind him as he remained deep in thought.

"Even so… to destroy all three Gods in a single turn with just one monster. Atem, are you trying to prove that you've already surpassed the Gods?"

"Heh heh… it's not mutual destruction!"

A confident voice rang out. As the flames and magical turbulence subsided, a figure stood at the center of the battlefield, a black scarf fluttering behind her.

"Now it's time for the ace! The god-slaying, Buddha-slaying, invincible Okita steps onto the stage!"

["Isn't 'god-slayer' Nobunaga's title? Okita, you're going to be kneeling on a washboard when you get home."]

"Eh?!" Eve looked completely confused. "What just happened? Why is there suddenly another monster?"

Hoshino pulled out a set card from her back row and explained, "Of course—it's because of the Trap Card Imaginary Around that I reset last turn using Heroic Spirit – Formal Attire Kiyohime's effect!"

"When Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon a 'Heroic Spirit' monster from my Deck with a Level 1 lower than its original Level (Level 8). And the one I chose is—Heroic Spirit – Sakura Okita Soji!"

[Heroic Spirit – Sakura Okita Soji ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]

"And when Sakura Okita is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a 'Heroic Spirit' monster from my hand as a Level 7 monster with its effects negated! I Special Summon Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji from my hand!"

[Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]

On the first turn, after summoning Eve, Hoshino had set four cards, leaving only Okita in her hand.

And now, Okita had matured into a proper ace—able to use her alternate form to fix her own bricking issues.

"Double Okita, double invincible!" ×2

Standing side by side, the two Okita showed perfect synchronization.

"Let's go, Master! The opponent's Life Points are low—finish them off!" ×2

"I'd love to press the attack… but unfortunately, I can't," Hoshino replied.

The effect of Imaginary Around forces the Battle Phase to end after the Special Summon—whether it's the opponent's or her own.

"But even without attacking, that Special Summon helped a lot, Hoshino! Dueling alongside you really is the best!"

Placing a Ritual Spell onto his Duel Disk, chaotic energy swirled beneath the Pharaoh's feet, lifting his cloak as magical power surged upward.

"—Ritual Spell activated: Chaos Form! I offer the Level 7 Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji as tribute to Ritual Summon Magician of Black Chaos!"