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

Hikaru lightly hopped off the vehicle and turned to look at Celina.

For speed's sake, Tierra had thrown the vehicle onto a steep slope. Staying inside was fine, albeit once they stepped out, Hikaru nearly lost his footing. Celina wasn't foolish,seeing Hikaru's movements, she carefully disembarked without tripping or bumping into anything.

Hikaru gave a hard stretch and said, "It's not too bad over there. Much lighter than your side."

After dropping Dimitri and the others at the original station, Hikaru learned from KaibaCorp and the Lightsworn that Dark World's attacks on other areas had lessened greatly, focusing instead on one point. Hikaru immediately realized they were concentrating their forces.

Although he had agreed on a rendezvous time with Jaden, seeing this situation, Hikaru knew Jaden wouldn't sit still. So he had set out in Jaden's direction right away.

As he'd guessed,Jaden couldn't possibly stand by and watch the weak suffer. He would have acted, even if it meant being late. Tierra had told Hikaru that the high-ranking Dark World Fiends were all dead, along with Goldd and Sillva, whose whereabouts were unknown. Demons like Lucent seemed to have fallen to Jaden as well. And now, both the Overlord and Dragon Lord were dead.

Dark World's "top fighting force" had been wiped out almost instantly. If they clashed with other factions now, they'd be the ones getting beaten.

Still, Hikaru hadn't arrived too late. It looked like a critical moment.

He glanced at Syrus and Tyranno Hassleberry,both looked exhausted, Syrus especially weak. Hikaru knew about Syrus's recent changes; Jaden had told him. It stirred some feelings in him. At least bringing Syrus into the Polymerization Club had honored Kaiser's memory.

"Ran into some trouble on the way, so I'm late. Didn't expect things to be so lively here," Hikaru said, looking toward Jim and Axel.

He had already guessed their identities from their looks and clothing, regardless, still greeted them and asked Jaden for introductions.

Jaden laughed. "This is Jim, and this is Karen,don't mind that she's a crocodile; she's Jim's family. This is Axel Brodie,very reliable, very strong."

"That's Celina, a first-year. She's the student of that guy there,that's Hikaru Amaki." Jaden coughed and put on a formal face. "The pinnacle of the Academy, the answer to Polymerization,Hikaru Amaki!"

Celina nodded repeatedly. "Mhm, mhm!" Hikaru just shook his head helplessly, explaining to the two that it wasn't that exaggerated.

Jim and Axel exchanged glances. They'd heard of the name Hikaru, but hadn't expected that seeing him would make Jaden visibly relax, almost like a burden had lifted.

Not just Jaden,Syrus and Hassleberry, who had been pushing themselves for days, also relaxed all at once, nearly stumbling from the release of tension.

Even several Lightsworn spirits nearby eased their guard upon seeing Hikaru, no longer as tense, and seemingly less afraid of the "Supreme King." However, unlike the relaxed Jaden, they still eyed him with suspicion.

"Hikaru Amaki, so you came too," said Celestia, Lightsworn Angel. "Don't get closer to this human,he is the Supreme King."

"Supreme King?" Hikaru repeated casually as he walked over to Jaden, slinging an arm over his shoulder with a laugh. "Let's talk about that later. Come on, Jaden, everyone,let's go. You're tired, right? My treat,let's eat fried shrimp until we drop!"

"I'm having two servings!" Jaden laughed, linking arms with him.

"Hikaru Amaki!" One of the Lightsworn angels blocked his path.

Hikaru sighed, letting go of Jaden's shoulder to face the angel. "Can't this wait?"

"This isn't something that can wait!"

"Actually… I heard what you said earlier."

You heard that? Impossible,but in truth, Hikaru hadn't heard anything. Even with his hearing, from the air he couldn't make out their words. That said, he had asked Tierra to gather sounds here in advance, so he had a good idea of their argument.

"If you heard it, then don't stop us! Even if you're recognized, you can't keep us from eradicating evil!"

Hikaru sighed again, looking puzzled and helpless. "Then let me repeat what I told you the first time we met: you have your justice, and we have ours."

He clenched his fist and stared the angel down. "How many ordinary people has Jaden saved? How many spirits? Does that make him evil?"

"He's the Supreme King! He's sheltered those Dark World demons!"

"He is,Jaden Yuki!" Hikaru snorted, not backing down an inch. "Whatever the power,be it a world-destroying evil force or the dark power to command demons,if Jaden uses it for justice, you have no right to stop him!"

He pointed his fist at the angel. "Whatever his past life was, his present life is his own to decide!"

The angel was crushed by Hikaru's sheer presence,no wonder General Jain had once faced this human.

"But the Supreme King's power can change a man's mind. One day he will become a dark lord again and rule the Spirit Dimension. We cannot allow that to happen naturally."

Hikaru shook his head. "Fine, then,let's settle it the usual way."

"Duel," he said calmly, crossing his arms. "You and Jaden duel, and decide what's justice."

"Impossible! He's not you,he's tainted by evil power! We can't accept that duel!"

"If you don't even dare duel him, how will you 'deal' with him?"

The angel realized its grave mistake. To seize the Supreme King, they would have to duel him… and that meant there had to be stakes. And there was only one stake the Supreme King would accept: Justice itself.

Victory would decide justice. If they won, they could eliminate the Dark World demons and capture the Supreme King. If they lost, the Supreme King could keep the Dark World demons on standby and be called just.

But justice can't be decided by mere victory or defeat. Justice is a fact. Even if defeated by evil, the just do not become evil.

"Every life has its own judgment. Justice is a fact, not a wager. If justice becomes a stake, it ceases to exist," the angel said quietly.

"Since you know that every life has its judgment, let me remind you,right now, Jaden is a hero of justice."

He spoke slowly. "It has nothing to do with birth, soul, or past life. He's saved countless humans and spirits. Everyone here can testify to that."

The angel fell silent, unsure how to reply.

Hikaru shrugged.

"As expected of you, Hikaru-senpai," Hassleberry said, dumbfounded. "You're too good with words."

Syrus nodded furiously. "Yeah, yeah! Jaden's too nice and not great at arguing. With you, all that talk about evil or justice, Supreme King or not… blocking his Polymerization is wrong. You're the one who should be talking to them."

"Alright, enough trouble for now. Things are calm for the moment,let's rest, get to know each other, eat," Hikaru said, gathering the group.

He still knew little about what was going on here. There was much to figure out.

He knew this was only the beginning.