Friday, 05/18/2001, 10:11 p.m.
Industrial Illusions Ship, Deck.
The figure of a blond boy paced back and forth across a specific area on the port side. The sound of his footsteps echoed faintly, blending with the constant splashing of the ship cutting through the waves. It was Jonouchi, and he looked visibly worried.
A faint smell of saltwater drifted with the breeze.
Leaning back against the railing, Hiroto watched Jonouchi with a bored expression. Sighing, he complained in a weary tone.
"Will you cut it out already, man?"
Stopping and turning toward Hiroto, Jonouchi muttered with a vacant look. His fists clenched and trembled visibly.
"What if Shin's plan didn't work? What if they couldn't get on board? What if they were caught? Damn it! I'm losing my mind!"
Walking over to Jonouchi and throwing an arm around his neck from the side, Hiroto ruffled his hair roughly. At the same time, he spoke with a confident smile. Jonouchi glanced back at him with an annoyed look.
"Relax, man. Why don't we just—?"
Suddenly, a nearby door creaked open with a metallic sound. Both boys turned their attention at once.
A boy with long, messy white hair stepped through the door at that moment. His gaze met Jonouchi's and Hiroto's near the railing. Recognition lit up his features.
Raising an eyebrow, Jonouchi murmured in a puzzled voice.
"Bakura? What the hell are you doing here?"
Blinking a few times, Bakura responded with a curious tone. He slowly walked toward the two, glancing around.
"Honda, Jonouchi? Were you invited to the tournament too? What a coincidence. Are Yugi and Anzu here as well?"
Nodding, Hiroto replied with a nervous voice.
"Uh, yeah, yeah. They're walking around the ship. Though... it's strange we didn't see each other when we boarded, huh? Ha-ha."
Nodding, Bakura stopped a few meters from Jonouchi and Hiroto. Scratching his head, he spoke with a puzzled look.
"Yeah, what a coincidence, huh? Anyway... isn't it a bit cold out here? I was planning to explore a bit, but now that I've found you. How about we talk inside?"
Exchanging uncertain glances, Jonouchi and Hiroto nodded stiffly.
Making a face, Jonouchi replied with a smile.
"Sure! Let's go inside. I was getting bored of staying here anyway. I'm curious too—since when are you a duelist, Bakura?"
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the ship's deck...
Anzu, Yugi, and Shin moved along the starboard side, glancing around constantly. Their voices echoed through the silence of the night.
Anzu called out anxiously.
"Jonouchi, Hiroto! Are you guys there?!"
Shortly after, stopping in front of a metal wall, Shin murmured with a serious expression.
"End of the line. Looks like they're not on this side of the ship."
Yugi and Anzu nodded with worried looks.
Looking at Shin, Anzu spoke in an uneasy tone.
"Let's go to the other side, quickly. Maybe something happened to them."
Yugi nodded quickly and muttered with a firm voice.
"Jonouchi, Hiroto, we're coming."
Shin shook his head and narrowed his eyes before suggesting quietly.
"Apart from portside, we still need to check the bow and stern. Hm... also, there's a chance those two already went inside the ship."
Yugi and Anzu nodded in understanding.
Walking toward the nearest door, Yugi pointed with a resolute voice.
"Then let's check the shared rooms again first, and afterward we'll split up to save time."
Anzu and Shin nodded silently. Immediately after, the three of them entered the ship at a brisk pace.