"Activating 'Clear Kuriboh' effect. Draw a card from my deck!"

Kira's eyes snapped open again as he reached out to draw.

At that moment, even the usually unflappable Arbiter, whose face had shown no change despite inner agitation, finally reacted.

This felt utterly different from before.

The spark in Kira's eyes as he drew the card was worlds apart from just moments ago.

And the Sealing Device hanging on his chest, which had only faintly disturbed the Arbiter until now, suddenly flared with an unmistakable surge. It had seemed to be a vague, metaphysical boost to Kira's strength as a duelist—but now, its reaction was so dramatic, it felt like it was stealing the show.

So you're done pretending, huh?

Even Kaiba's heart pounded, his fists clenched involuntarily as he stared wide-eyed at the explosion of golden light.

That power, that thrill deep in the soul, the blood-boiling feeling...

It's him!

Kaiba was sure of it—he'd recognize that presence anywhere, even if the guy turned to dust.

He fixed his eyes on the glowing artifact on Kira's chest, and to his shock, within the light he saw the vague outline of a human figure.

Hard to see clearly, but the shadow exuded a kingly aura. A golden pendant hung at the chest, a cloak billowed behind, and the Eye of Horus on the forehead seemed to pierce all evil.

The figure appeared solemn, arms crossed, eyes closed as if chanting quietly.

The audience didn't understand, but Kaiba's heart raced with a single thought—

—Only one who can chant the priestly text correctly can wield the power of the gods.

Sure enough, when Kira looked up again, the Eye of Horus was reflected on his forehead. He raised the drawn card high, its radiance splitting the heavens like the newborn sun.

"With 'Clear Kuriboh's' effect, the drawn monster can be Special Summoned directly!

Let the ever-changing fire of heaven and earth become eternal light illuminating the earth!

Sun God, The Winged Dragon of Ra—descend!!"

Thunder rolled and roared overhead, like an angry beast. Destructive power brewed, each thunderclap shaking the island's soul. The surrounding sea surged, waves crashing against the rocks as if the world itself was in turmoil.

And then, light.

Blazing golden rays pierced the oppressive darkness, like blades slashing through clouds. Countless golden beams interwove, breaking through and pouring onto the land.

From the light emerged a divine bird bathed in gold!

Its body looked forged from pure gold, each feather shimmering with sunlight, like the primal flame at the world's dawn. Its wings spread wide, seeming to cover the sky.

The legendary chief of the Egyptian Gods—the mighty Winged Dragon of Ra—had returned to Duel City's peak after nearly a decade!

"Impossible!"

The Arbiter couldn't stay calm. "Clear Kuriboh only gives you one draw... and you pulled the strongest god!?"

Impossible!

The audience was stunned.

"Is that the Sun God Kira!?"

Jaden stared in shock at Kira, his familiar friend now wrapped in golden light, almost divine, hard to see clearly.

For audience members like Jaden and Zane, who were just kids ten years ago, the gods were only a legend—they'd never dreamed they'd see one with their own eyes.

And none expected the real thing to be a hundred times more powerful than any rumor.

Zane murmured, "This shuddering feeling... To fight against such divine might—can anyone really do it?"

At Duel Academy, duelists are taught to always steady their momentum above all. If you feel fear during a duel, you've basically already lost.

But facing such a divine beast and pressure, it's nearly impossible not to crumble, let alone overpower your opponent.

And there were three gods in Battle City.

Did duelists back then really fight under this kind of terrifying pressure?

"Tch. Damn Pharaoh, can't you stay dead in your grave? Now you're pulling this crap..."

The Arbiter gritted his teeth.

"But the Egyptian God's attack points depend on the total ATK of monsters offered as Tribute. You summoned Ra with Clear Kuriboh's effect, so even the strongest god is just for show!"

[The Winged Dragon of Ra, ATK 0]

But Ra shrieked, crimson light in its eyes fixed on the Arbiter. Was it recognizing its old foe, the cheating snake, or just angry at being mocked?

"Ah."

Jaden snapped back to the duel, worried again. "Even if you summon a god, its attack is still..."

The Eye of Horus on Kira's forehead glowed, echoing with the golden light from his artifact. He calmly said, "True, Ra has no ATK from no Tribute.

But the Winged Dragon of Ra has other abilities." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel•fire.net

The Arbiter was startled, then said coldly: "You think you're qualified to control a god?"

Ra is said to be the strongest god, and also the hardest to control. Even Marik, heir of the Tombkeepers, didn't know how to use Ra's secret effects—only his dark alter ego could do it.

Thus, only those who can chant the priestly text can control Ra's power.

Kira didn't answer, just continued.

"Winged Dragon of Ra, effect activate. Pay 1000 Life Points to destroy all monsters on the opponent's field.

And when Ra is Special Summoned, this effect can be used during the opponent's turn."

[Kira, LP 2800→LP 1800]

As he spoke, the golden pendant flashed again. The kingly phantom appeared, arms crossed, as if chanting a silent spell.

The Arbiter's eyes widened in realization.

The damn Pharaoh not only left behind the strongest god...

It's even in auto mode!

Plug-and-play, with the ancient chant pre-programmed—can you believe it!?