You Feng returned to his dormitory.
Seeing John Anderson's name on the Duel King Gold List didn't surprise him at all.
"John Anderson's strength has always been inconsistent. Before his encounter with the darkness, he wasn't as strong as Edo Phoenix."
"Edo Phoenix, even during his debut as a professional, was already dominant. He can be considered one of the early-stage mini-bosses."
"But in the later plot, too many powerful figures appear and overshadow him."
"Even Pegasus once commented that John Anderson ranks just below legends like Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba, and Edo Phoenix."
"Of course, once he's influenced by the darkness, his power level skyrockets."
You Feng reflected silently.
That also meant that Edo Phoenix was likely about to make his appearance.
"In other words, many duelists from the Northern Satellite region haven't yet made it onto the list. A wave of rankings is definitely coming soon."
"The trend suggests that duelists from the satellite areas are about to dominate the lower half of the list!"
---
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53. The Most Powerful Heroine Appears!
The King of Phantom Knights throughout the ages—the strongest heroine is online! (2/5 chapters today! Please vote with flower tickets!)
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Duel Academy, North Branch.
"Ahaha! What luck—I actually made it onto the list!"
John Anderson stared up at the sky, wide-eyed with amazement, completely ecstatic.
But alongside the excitement, curiosity began to bloom—especially about the rare card he was about to receive.
[Higher Dark Barrier]—the name alone gave him an odd feeling.
It was instinct.
A gut feeling.
He couldn't explain it, but something about the card was special.
---
Domino City, KaibaCorp Headquarters.
"Master Kaiba, this is the report on the North Branch's representative from Duel Academy."
Isano handed the folder over. Seto Kaiba hadn't left his desk in days, laser-focused on analyzing the profiles of those appearing on the Duel King Gold List.
"At this rate, all four Duel Academy branches will make the list."
"Duel Academy... Hmph. They live up to their reputation. A veritable nest of strong duelists," Kaiba muttered in his signature deep tone.
"Big brother! The White Dragon deck's next evolution is almost done. Once we finalize the new structure, your Blue-Eyes deck will ascend to a whole new level!"
Mokuba was practically glowing with excitement.
"Hmph. Then all these so-called duelists on the gold list will be beneath me."
"Obliteration! Absolute Destruction! Thunderous Applause! Hahaha!"
Kaiba's confidence returned in full force—he had been meticulously designing his next-gen cards.
In this world, newly created cards had to be approved by the three ruling regions before becoming tournament legal. Each region had veto rights. As a result, card design wasn't arbitrary.
Kaiba's newest cards had finally gained full approval.
This year, the Dongfang Tongshiye region had delegated printing rights to KaibaCorp.
"If this ranking system accounted for deck power, my restructured deck would dominate."
"Hmph... too bad the list doesn't consider decks."
Kaiba scoffed.
---
Northern Satellite Area.
Police Headquarters.
"So it begins again. Just how many duelists from the Satellite Region can still believe they stand a chance?"
"How many names on that gold list even belong to us?" Rex Godwin spoke calmly, with an air of authority.
With his power, rankings didn't concern him.
But not everyone in the Satellite Region had his fortitude.
"I've heard Kiyanagi Kyosuke already headed to Duel Academy," Yego added, smirking.
"This Duel King Gold List apparently got under his skin. He's planning to defeat everyone on it and recruit them into the Dark Signers' organization."
"That'll boost the satellite's image... and strengthen the Dark Signers."
"Hmph. Or," Rex Godwin interrupted, "it might end in meaningless defeat."
"That'd be... pitiful," Yego conceded, blinking slowly.
---
Space-Time Hall, Future Timeline.
Members of the Taiyi Organization gathered.
ZONE stood at the center of the control hub, addressing Antinomy and Paradox.
"It's time to go back."
"Our appearance will change the fate of the Duel King Gold List."
ZONE radiated absolute confidence.
The list didn't exist in their timeline—but that could change.
If they returned now, their names would surely dominate it.
"Yes... this world will collapse under Taiyi's power."
Paradox responded coolly.
"Aha... can we go already?"
"I hope these duelists aren't too boring," Antinomy muttered, smirking.
Reality distorted around them.
In an instant, they vanished from the space-time hall.
---
[Duel King Gold List: 34th Place – Overall Strength]
[Name: Akizuki Shuyoru (Akiza Izinski)]
[Alias: Witch of the Northern Satellite Area]
[Deck Representative: Black Rose Dragon]
[Comprehensive Strength Stats]
Suppression: 84
Anti-Interference: 78
Luck: 65
Deck Assembly: 75
Defense: 60
Tactical Thinking: 82
[Total Score: 444]
[Rewards: +5 Defense, +5 Luck, +5 Deck Assembly, +3 Heavy Pitfall Trap Cards]
---
The announcement of Shuyoru Akizuki caught You Feng's attention instantly.
"The Queen of Phantom Knights across generations... the strongest heroine finally arrives!"
He smirked.
Placing 34th felt just right.
---
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54. A God Card That Makes All Duelists Lose Control!
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Northern Satellite Region.
"We've got another local on the Duel King Gold List!"
"But seriously, what's with this 'witch' title?"
Crow Hogan raised a brow.
"Who knows? Sounds kinda fun, though."
"Either way, I hope more Satellite duelists make the list soon."
Yusei Fudo answered calmly, riding his D-Wheel.
---
Police HQ.
"Heh... another Satellite duelist ranks. Could this 'witch' be one of the Signers?"
Yego mused.
"Regardless, we'll keep the data. Might be crucial in identifying the Signers."
Rex Godwin replied.
At that moment, the officer Sagiri Fukakage walked in.
"Sir, Jack Atlas is here."
"Good," Godwin nodded. "Have him come in. This is the perfect time to discuss recent developments."
---
Elsewhere...
"Akiza! See? I told you you'd make the rankings!"
Divine smiled at the Black Rose Witch.
"I never doubted my abilities," she replied calmly.
"But... I still have questions in my heart that remain unanswered."