Yu-Gi-Oh: Fusion Is the Noblest Summoning Method!

Mizuo Fukasui's second strategy was simple: the "Dimensional Gate."

This was also something that set the Fusion Club apart from the Polymerization Club up until now.

Compared to the Dimensional Gates that only the top student of each dormitory had the right to use, the Polymerization Club's gates had much looser restrictions. Plus, theirs had been upgraded once again by Professor Leo Akaba. Now they could be used twice a month, and didn't even require energy from the Academy.

While Hikaru and the others were away in another dimension participating in the Friendship Cup, the Polymerization Club students had already completed two rounds of "secret training" using their Dimensional Gate, gaining significant power boosts.

Though their numbers were down compared to last year, their quality had definitely improved!

Once the transfer students from other academies arrived, their overall strength wouldn't fall behind last year at all!

"Join the Polymerization Club, and you'll get the chance to use the Dimensional Gate directly! That's a privilege only top students normally have!" Mizuo shouted at the top of his lungs.

In his efforts to strengthen the Polymerization Club, this Obelisk Blue senior was doing everything he could.

As soon as this "perk" was announced, quite a few freshmen started showing real interest in the club.

Dark Magician, Absolute Fusionist, and the like, those were still too far out of reach. Even if you dreamed big, you had to start step by step. If you got your hands on a powerful card during dimensional travel, you might become an excellent student overnight and earn a higher score.

Being the top student of a dorm? That was just too difficult.

Slifer Red had Jaden Yuki, Ra Yellow had Amagi Hikaru, and Obelisk Blue had Atticus Rhodes… Just hearing their names made it feel impossible to beat them.

"Well, well, now that's a pretty clever idea." Tierra, watching nearby, chuckled at the human's shout.

On this point, even Hikaru couldn't compete with the Polymerization Club.

Although he could create Dimensional Gates, those of the so-called "mysticism" school had uncertain stability and safety for ordinary students. It was a tough subject to evaluate. To this day, Hikaru hadn't even told his friends about it, because he was still testing it step by step.

Besides, how would he even explain to the teachers that he could make Dimensional Gates with his bare hands?

Once the Fusion Club expanded, Hikaru might try installing a portal in the club leader's office, but at most, only people like Jaden would know. Perhaps he'd include Celina and a few promising freshmen. There was no way ordinary students would be allowed to experiment, though he might offer his own chances to others.

"What a shame. Even if it's a Dimensional Gate, its appeal is still limited. Tricking one or two students is already good enough. There's no way you could trick everyone." After observing for a while and seeing that only a few people had actually gone to question Mizuo, Tierra lost interest and shook his head.

The more people who asked, the more who joined the club, the more they'd realize how unlikely they'd be to use the Gate. Even if it were distributed fairly, there were too many upperclassmen. When would it be their turn? And even if they got a turn, how many times could they use it?

Twice a month meant only about twenty times a year.

Compared to that elusive chance, Hikaru's Dark Magician and his title as Absolute Fusionist had more impact.

After all, whether a freshman wanted to join a club or not, they were all curious about the Dark Magician.

Seeing even this second plan fail, Mizuo took a deep breath.

'So difficult.'

But precisely because of that, it was worth the challenge!

Many in the Polymerization Club, especially those who had taken beatings for a year straight, couldn't understand why Mizuo would willingly take on such a hard task. Why not just wait for the so-called "elite transfer students" to handle it? Why take on Hikaru himself?

The reason was simple.

Over the past year, he had watched Hikaru challenge the Fusion Army step by step, eventually founding the Fusion Club and becoming the Academy's new spokesperson for Fusion. That stirred something deep inside him.

Especially seeing Hikaru duel with such harmony in another dimension, Mizuo genuinely admired it.

He knew full well that many in the Polymerization Club didn't consider it shameful to lose to Hikaru. Since Hikaru wanted to represent Fusion, they were fine with letting him.

After all, many Polymerization Club students hadn't been in the Fusion Army for three years. They hadn't been trained to be so stubborn. Most of them actually respected Hikaru, they just couldn't say so outright due to their "senpai" status and their time in the Fusion Army.

So Mizuo challenging Hikaru now seemed out of place, but to him, it was simple.

Only a head-on duel truly felt like something Hikaru would do. That was what Fusion was all about!

Next came his third plan!

Simple and direct. At this point, a duel!

Only...

Where was Syrus Truesdale!?

He felt a bit helpless.

Syrus, the current face of the Polymerization Club, had gotten two chances for interdimensional travel during the break. His deck had been massively upgraded. Originally, Mizuo had planned for their clubs' duelists to face off. That would've made sense.

However, unexpectedly, Syrus didn't show up!

What Mizuo didn't know was that Syrus hadn't skipped out on purpose, he was blocked.

On his way over, a muscular freshman wearing a dinosaur bandana blocked the narrow wooden bridge. Claiming to be the leader of the "strongest Dino Gang," he challenged passersby to Hunt Duels on the bridge. Losers had to hand over their Duel Disk and become his underlings.

Jaden Yuki had heard about it too and didn't go to the Polymerization Club gathering. He ran over to the bridge to check it out.

No way he'd miss out on a duel!

Right now, Syrus was watching his Jaden duel that dino freshman, completely unable to leave.

Mizuo took a deep breath.

'If that's how it is…'

'Then I'll do it myself!'

He pulled out his Deck.

With this brand-new Deck, he would challenge Hikaru!

"Amagi Hikaru!"

As students nearby either watched for fun or seriously considered joining one of the clubs, Mizuo raised the loudspeaker he'd prepared and shouted at Hikaru.

Hikaru blinked and said, "What is it, senpai?"

"You bastard, let's duel!"

From a distance, Chazz crossed his arms and tilted his head, confused.

'What? Haven't you lost enough?'

Polymerization Club vs. Fusion Club, he'd seen this matchup plenty of times.

Even last year's seniors never beat Hikaru!

"President!?" Some third-year members of the Polymerization Club were shocked when they heard Mizuo shout.

The miserable fate of last year's seniors was still fresh in their minds, President!

"With so many freshmen watching, just talking won't get the message across. So let us two club leaders duel in an exhibition match, that way, everyone can clearly see the difference between our two clubs!"

Hikaru nodded slightly. This senior's words were rather agreeable.

"Of course, I'm not challenging you for nothing. If you win, this is yours.

"What do you think?" As he spoke, he pulled a card from his box and showed it.

Curse of Dragon!

Hikaru's brows lifted slightly.

"This card can fuse with Gaia the Fierce Knight! You got that card from Mr. Yugi, didn't you? I bet you're interested in this." This was the card Mizuo had long prepared as part of his third plan.

He had spent a ton of interdimensional cards to trade for this legendary rare card from a hometown friend. It was originally meant to entice Hikaru to duel Syrus, but now he had to use it himself.

He humbled himself greatly because he knew just how powerful his opponent was.

On the other side, hearing his words and seeing the card, Hikaru suddenly understood many things.

"Looks like the new leader of the Polymerization Club isn't as unreasonable as the last." Tierra stroked his chin and smiled at Hikaru. "Hikaru, it seems what you've been trying to do is starting to work."

Hikaru nodded gently.

This was exactly what he wanted!

"Alright, I believe everyone's been waiting to see a duel! After all, for duelists, nothing is more straightforward than a duel! So, senpai, let's duel here, between the two platforms!" He strapped on his Duel Disk.

Beautiful!

Before the duel, Mizuo glanced at the Deck in his hand.

This brand-new Deck, Hikaru might know some of the cards' effects, still, there was no way he could guess he'd be using it now. And whether it would lead him to victory, he really didn't know.

One thing he knew for sure:

Right now, he was genuinely excited!

As for how much of that excitement came from a well-executed plan, and how much came from getting to duel Hikaru in person, even he couldn't say.

"Duel!"

[Amagi Hikaru, LP: 4000]

[Mizuo Fukasui, LP: 4000]