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

"Noble students of Duel Academy, this is your Principal, Sheppard."

Principal Sheppard took a deep breath and began speaking.

"First, before I get to the main topic, I believe you all know by now... Just moments ago, our Duel Academy professor, the head instructor of the Polymerization Club, Professor Leo Akaba, led his Duelists in a plot to launch a surprise attack on the X-Dimension.

Although the X-Dimension responded swiftly, there were still heavy casualties and losses.

Even without detailed calculations, the death toll is at least in the thousands. Hundreds more were turned into cards by Fusion Army Duelists and Spirits. As for property damage... the number of collapsed critical facilities due to Solid Vision effects is beyond measure."

Holding a script with shaking hands, Principal Sheppard read out the figures, his face full of pain and grief.

If not for an unknown person sabotaging Leo Akaba's logistics right before the assault, the death toll and destruction would have easily doubled or even tripled!

"Principal..." Jaden sat in a Fusion Club chair, looking somber.

"As the Principal of Duel Academy, I failed to realize Leo Akaba's malicious intent beforehand, leading to this unspeakable atrocity. This is my dereliction of duty. Soon, I will resign from my post as Principal. As for further responsibilities, KaibaCorp headquarters will evaluate and decide."

"What!? Principal, we've never heard of something like this happening before!"

The usually bickering senior instructors, barely holding onto surface-level peace since Sheppard's return, immediately shouted in protest.

"Principal! This isn't your fault!" Jaden nearly jumped onto the table in support.

Jaden had always had a great relationship with Sheppard. Back when Jaden was late for his entrance exam, it was Sheppard who overruled the objections and let him duel for admission.

Over time, Sheppard continued to look after Jaden, earning the boy's deep respect.

After Professor Banner's "death," with Hikaru now Crowler's student, that made Hikaru effectively Sheppard's student too.

Now hearing Sheppard taking the fall for Leo Akaba, Jaden was heartbroken. He didn't want this to happen at all.

"Enough. Can you truly say with certainty that I had no connection to Leo Akaba?" Sheppard shook his head.

In truth, not just him—all the teachers and professors would face further investigations.

So—

"Fortunately, before I step down, I have prepared one last opportunity for all of you."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

As he shifted aside, the television screen displayed two giant letters:

"GX"

"The GX Tournament."

"A world-class, dimension-scale Duel Tournament initiated by our Academy, open to all Duel Academies worldwide, their branches, and numerous Pro Duelists."

Principal Sheppard appeared back at the center of the screen, holding a badge emblazoned with the "GX" symbol.

"After discussions with KaibaCorp, KaibaCorp will fully oversee this tournament, ensuring absolute fairness and impartiality."

"All students will be transported to the Critical Nexus Dimension in one week to participate in this dimension-scale Duel."

"KaibaCorp has established 12 special locations within the Critical Nexus. Each location is guarded by a powerful Duelist. Students must participate in at least 8 Duels against these Star Duelists and earn their recognition. Only then will a mark be engraved on their badge.

At the tournament's end, anyone with fewer than 4 recognitions will be considered to have failed and will undergo a make-up exam after the tournament.

Those with 8 recognitions will be deemed Outstanding Duelists and receive prizes from KaibaCorp.

The twelve Duelists are ranked by star level, from 1-Star to 12-Star—hence, the Twelve-Star Duel format.

Some of them are human, others are Spirit Duelists. Who you challenge is up to you."

Hikaru furrowed his brows, carefully listening to the rules.

Because this was nothing like the GX Tournament he remembered, where you just found someone and snatched their badge after a random Duel.

From the looks of it, 1-Star seemed the easiest and 12-Star the hardest?

But since this was a Duel, who knew... for all he knew, the 1-Star, 2-Star, or 4-Star could end up being the strongest.

"Furthermore, within the Critical Nexus, there are several hidden special Duelists who also have the authority to grant recognition. Their total number is unknown."

"Also, besides these, Pro Duelists from around the world and even other Legendary Duelists can join the tournament, challenging Star Duelists alongside students—or dueling recognized Duelists directly to take their badges.

Yes, this tournament allows Duels where both parties wager their badges—but only if both sides agree."

Many students nodded in understanding.

"Of course, since badges can be taken, they must hold special significance, right? Otherwise, why would Pro Duelists want to steal students' exam grades?" Bastion Misawa spotted the inconsistency.

"I imagine some of you have realized—if badges were just school grades, why would Pro Duelists bother? The answer is simple:

"Once a Duelist earns a badge with at least 8 recognitions, they become eligible for the final Duel—

"The GX Finals!"

Hikaru frowned even more deeply.

'Wait... did I transmigrate again?'

'Is this... Pokémon?'

He hadn't expected the original GX tournament to turn out like this.

But—well, it was fine.

What kind of GX world would this be without a GX Tournament?

"The ultimate champion will earn the right to request a customized reward or favor from KaibaCorp. Additionally, they will gain social status, fame, and rare cards.

And perhaps... even obtain a hidden, legendary, legendary, legendary card."

Sheppard deliberately repeated "legendary" several times to emphasize its power.

"Rumor has it... It may even rival the Sacred Beasts."

"Whoa! Hiss!!"

Still worried about Sheppard a moment ago, Jaden now literally leapt onto the table. "Whoa! What card is it?! I wanna see!"

"Also, all living expenses during this tournament—food, lodging, and everything else—must be earned through your Duel performance as DP, and redeemed through KaibaCorp. So... don't expect to spend half a year hanging out in the Critical Nexus and then stroll back to school like nothing happened."

Sheppard took a long breath.

Staring at the screen.

It felt like he was looking at the students... and at the island, his beloved Academy.

He sighed deeply.

The mood grew heavy and solemn.

"Finally, before I step down... I hope none of you will give up hope.

"Whether you're Obelisk Blue, Ra Yellow, or Slifer Red, you are all proud students of our Noble Duel Academy.

"I hope none of you let color, entrance exam scores, or status make you lose hope, walk the wrong path, or become an accomplice to evil.

"This... was my failure in running the Academy properly before—

"But this time, at the Critical Nexus, many Spirits reside. As long as you have the heart of a true Duelist, anyone may earn a Spirit's recognition and become a Duelist with a Spirit partner.

"So, please... don't follow in Leo Akaba's footsteps. Don't learn from such unhealthy ways. Don't walk down the path of Shadow Duels...

"Please.

"I'm begging you... truly begging you!"

By the end, faint tears welled in his eyes. The endless bad news of late had pushed him to the brink.

Recently, Zane had completed an Xyz Summon in this world, abandoning the "Respect Dueling" tradition of Cyber-Style. He even sought Sheppard out and seized the hidden "Cyberdark" Deck from the Cyber-Style Dojo, leaving Sheppard mentally and physically exhausted.

And now... this.

It felt like his world was collapsing.

Even with his good nature, Sheppard could barely stay standing. If not for wanting to do this last thing for his students, he would never have made it this far.

Now, all he could do was instinctively cover his eyes and take deep breaths over and over.

Seeing the situation worsening, Vice-Principal Napoleon and Professor Crowler rushed in front of the camera, fumbling to shut down the broadcast and urging students to get ready.

Meanwhile, at the door, Tome had already burst into the room.

The screen went dark.

"Leo Akaba..." Jaden muttered the name, his voice cold and chilling, like the entire activity room had dropped ten degrees.

Seeing his beloved Principal driven to tears and despair over this, the light in Jaden's eyes turned entirely golden as he stood atop the desk.

"Jaden?" Chazz, closest to him, recoiled with dilated pupils.

He didn't know what was happening... but he knew this Jaden was extremely dangerous—not just to others, but to himself too!

Jaden clenched his teeth.

Dueling was supposed to be fun.

Though at this moment, Jaden felt the world spinning. His excitement for the tournament vanished completely, leaving only overwhelming rage swirling in his heart.

Slowly, he raised his hand and clenched it into a fist.

"I'll never forgive him!!"