Chapter 73: Gun Version Divine Fist Smash
As massive as a mountain, Grandsoil the Elemental Lord raised its hand, comparable to a giant Castle, and swung it forward. From the Blue Sky simulated by the Shadow Realm, a thick bolt of Lightning fell, striking the Ground.
As this Bolt from the Blue landed on the Ground, a Fissure split the solid ground. From the gap, Gaia The Fierce Knight rode its War Horse, galloping forth.
"He actually Summoned two high-Level Monsters in one go!" Bakura's face was grim. "But so what? You lowered the ATK of my Goblin Zombie on the Field, but because of Joint Struggle's Effect, you can't Direct Attack me either!"
Bakura: 4000 LP
Goblin Zombie ATK 500
Grandsoil the Elemental Lord ATK 2800
Gaia The Fierce Knight ATK 2300
Hayato had Activated Joint Struggle earlier to send Comrade Swordsman of Landstar from his Hand to the Graveyard. The original intent of this Card was "Monsters in the Hand and Monsters on your Field cooperate and fight together," but Hayato used it to lower the ATK of Bakura's Goblin Zombie on the Field. Even so, he still had to suffer Joint Struggle's Side Effect—the inability to Direct Attack this Turn.
Now, although Hayato had Summoned two Monsters on his Field whose combined ATK was more than enough to wipe out Bakura's Life Points, because Bakura only had one Monster on his Field, he could only use one of them to Attack. But no matter which one he used, their ATK was not enough to deal a fatal blow to Bakura.
"If a strong Attack can't solve the problem, it means the Attack isn't strong enough. In that case, I just need to strengthen the Attack." Under Bakura's horrified gaze, Hayato played the last Card in his Hand. "I Activate my last Hand Card, the Spell Card Inherited Power!"
Because it was Special Summoned to the Field by Grandsoil's Effect, Gaia's Body erupted in white flames as Hayato played Inherited Power, as if burning its own Soul. Grandsoil, meanwhile, extended its giant hand above the Duel Field, collecting all the flames burning on Gaia's Body and grasping them in its palm.
"Inherited Power? No! Could it be!" Bakura was horrified. "You, you're actually going to!"
"What I seek is nothing else but Victory. To seize Victory, I am willing to sacrifice my Tamashii. Offer up your Soul, Gaia!" Hayato clenched his right fist, his movement eerily synchronized with Grandsoil behind him. "[Inherited Power] can inherit Gaia's Power onto another Monster. Offer up all of Gaia's Power—"
Grandsoil the Elemental Lord ATK 2800 → 5100
"Grandsoil the Elemental Lord, let's go together! Divine Fist Smash!"
Hayato swung his right fist heavily towards Ryo Bakura. Grandsoil's movements were perfectly synchronized with Hayato's, and the giant fist, imbued with all of Gaia's Power, smashed down towards Bakura like a meteorite falling from the sky!
"Impossible! My Ambition hasn't been realized! Impossible!" Bakura's Spell/Trap Zone and Hand were empty. As the meteorite-like giant fist descended, he desperately tried to think of a countermeasure, but despairingly realized he had no ability to stop what was about to happen. "I won't die!"
"Boom!"
Goblin Zombie, facing the catastrophic punch, raised the knife in its hand above its head, but it didn't even last a second before being instantly crushed. The residual Impact of the Attack scattered the Mist of Death in Bakura's Spell/Trap Zone with almost no reduction, directly hitting Bakura himself!
"Gahhhhh!!!"
Ryo Bakura: 4000 LP → 0
Bakura's Body was directly sent flying by the Impact. The Dark Soul that had occupied Ryo Bakura's Body was struck out the moment it came into contact with Grandsoil's fist. Because both Souls were wagered in the Dark Game, the instant Bakura's Life Points reached zero, a terrifying black hole with immense suction appeared above the Duel Field, swallowing the Dark Soul in an instant.
Hayato could hear the Soul leave a resentful, harsh remark before it vanished: "I won't die! Hayato Kobayashi, I will definitely come back for you!!!"
"Hmph, then come whenever you want, I'll be waiting." Hayato said it casually, but then slumped onto the Ground, covered in cold sweat. The Dark Game's Domain had Dispersed at some point. Grandsoil, which had stood behind Hayato, also turned into nothingness as the Duel Disk disappeared. In the distance, Ryo Bakura's Body lay quietly on the Ground.
During the Dark Game, although Hayato hadn't suffered any damage, he hadn't expected that Summoning Grandsoil would place such a heavy burden on his Body. The feeling before and after Summoning Grandsoil could probably be described as the difference between sleeping in bed and running a marathon at high altitude while wearing a mask.
Especially after using Inherited Power, as Grandsoil's Power surged after absorbing Gaia's Power, Hayato's burden increased every second, making him feel like he might faint at any moment. If that last Attack hadn't defeated Bakura, Hayato might have lost the Match due to losing Consciousness, just like Joey Wheeler.
However, thankfully, he won.
Temporarily ignoring the System that suddenly popped up with a bunch of messages, Hayato picked up a broken long branch from the grass beside the forest path, supporting himself to stand up, and walked over to the unconscious Bakura. The White-Haired Youth no longer had the ferocious expression he wore during the Duel, lying peacefully on the Ground. Judging by his deep breathing, he was clearly asleep.
Looking at the sleeping Bakura, Hayato didn't worry about waking him up. He reached directly into his pants pocket and immediately found two heavy Star Chips, which he casually stuffed into the slots of the Duel Glove on his Left Hand.
Next, muttering to himself, Hayato bent down and picked up the Deck that Bakura had scattered on the Ground. "You wanted to take my Gaia earlier, so it's okay if I take a 'billion' of your Cards, right? If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes."
Goblin Zombie, Newt, Morphing Jar, and even Change of Heart, among a pile of other Cards, were added to Hayato's Collection. However, what made Hayato slightly regretful was that several Cards like Destiny Board and Dark Necrofear had inexplicably disappeared from Bakura's Deck.
Putting the "Deck," which was picked through and only had about ten N-Rank Cards left, back into Bakura's pocket, Hayato noticed the Golden Disk on Bakura's chest—the Millennium Ring, one of the Seven Millennium Items. He "casually" untied the rope and took it off.
"Although I don't think a single Dark Game could get rid of that guy, I wonder if this thing is clean? Hope it doesn't possess me later." Hayato considered whether to throw away the Millennium Ring. He opened the System and checked the detailed abilities of Mind Barrier. Out of Trust in the System, he gritted his teeth and hung the Millennium Ring around his neck.
(End of Chapter)