Chapter 002: Landing on the Island, Duelist Kingdom!

The next morning, on Duelist Kingdom Island.

All duelists who had received invitations to the tournament were now gathered at the gates of the castle. While the organizers had yet to appear, the duelists present glanced around, scrutinizing their potential opponents.

"Look!" one bystander exclaimed. "The lineup is incredible!"

"Where? Where?" asked another.

"Over there! That’s Ryota Kajiki, third in the first National Duel Monsters Tournament!"

He pointed to a man standing at the front of the crowd, bare-chested, gripping a fishing spear in his left hand, with deep blue hair and sun-bronzed skin—Ryota Kajiki.

"Wow, it’s really him!" gasped another.

"And look over there! The champion and runner-up of the Japanese Duel Tournament—Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood!"

There stood a young man in a short green coat and a red cap, a tuft of purple hair visible beneath his hat—Rex Raptor. Beside him was another, wearing a green trench coat, greenish hair, and yellow-rimmed glasses—Weevil Underwood.

It wasn’t just those two discussing the scene; other duelists, upon seeing Weevil and the others, began to whisper among themselves.

Following the murmurs among these supporting duelists from the Duelist Kingdom arc, Yuuya observed Weevil and his companions, when he overheard another interesting conversation.

“By the way, wasn’t the boy who defeated Seto Kaiba named… um… Yugi Mutou? He must be here too, right?”

“If he could beat Kaiba, he’s no ordinary duelist! Since we’re all here, there’s no way he’d miss this competition!”

Their voices were loud enough that Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda all heard them, and immediately turned to Yugi with teasing smiles, while Yugi shrank back shyly.

“Attention, everyone!”

Suddenly, a loud voice echoed from above. Looking up, they saw an island security guard dressed in black.

As soon as he spoke, the crowd quieted instantly.

“Mr. Pegasus will now personally explain the tournament rules!”

With that, the man stepped aside. Soon, a handsome man with long silver hair parted down the middle, the left fringe almost covering half his face, emerged from the castle corridor, dressed in a red gentleman’s coat.

He was the host of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament, creator of Duel Monsters, and president of Industrial Illusions—Maximillion Pegasus.

“Welcome! Welcome to Duelist Kingdom~!”

“Now, allow me to explain the rules for this tournament.”

“All duels will be conducted with Duel Monsters cards. Each duelist begins with 2000 Life Points. Direct attacks to the player are forbidden, and if a duelist cannot summon any monsters, they lose by default.”

Thus were the basic rules of the competition.

After outlining the basics, Pegasus continued with another crucial rule:

“You should each have received a ‘Duelist Glove’ and two ‘Star Chips’?”

The gloves had been distributed by staff in black upon arrival on the island. The Star Chips, bronze pentagrams, were enclosed with the invitation and the five information cards.

“There are ten slots on the glove for Star Chips. Please insert your chips; they are proof of your participation! Duels will be wagered with these Star Chips!”

“The entire island is your dueling stage! Only those who collect ten Star Chips in this battle royale will have the right to open the castle doors and enter the semi-finals!”

“The tournament officially begins in one hour, and will last forty-eight hours. Anyone who fails to gather ten Star Chips within the time limit will be forcibly expelled as a loser!”

“And finally, duelists, I wish you all a triumphant return~!”

With the rules announced, the crowd erupted in excited chatter, while Pegasus, having cast a final glance over the assembly, clasped his hands behind his back and strode back into the castle.

…

“Hm? That smell… Is it barbecue?”

As he walked, Yuuya’s nose twitched—a whiff, reminiscent of grilled food, drifted from an unknown direction.

Sniffing carefully to track the scent, Yuuya soon pinpointed its source: the beach ahead and to the right.

Barbecue… on the beach… Could it be that man?

With just these two clues, Yuuya, recalling the somewhat hazy events of the Duelist Kingdom arc, could already guess who was responsible for the aroma.

“Perfect. After a morning of duels and exploring part of the island, it’s about lunchtime. I’ll just go see if I can grab a bite!”

With this thought, Yuuya quickened his pace toward the source of the smell.

A few minutes later—

Yuuya arrived at the spot. Fifty meters ahead, flames flickered in a small pit, around which several skewers of fish were roasting on wooden racks.

Drawing closer, he saw four skewers of grilled fish, already cooked—the delicious scent had come from them.

So, it really is him!

Just as Yuuya recalled information about that man, a surprised voice called out from behind him.

“Ah! Yuuya!”

Turning, Yuuya saw a group of three boys and one girl. Most striking among them was a boy, short as an elementary schooler, with a wild, multicolored, star-shaped hairstyle.

“Yugi… Did you also follow the smell here?” Yuuya asked, stepping aside and gesturing to the four grilled fish behind him.

“Yeah, yeah!” Jonouchi, the blond boy who had called Yuuya’s name, nodded enthusiastically, trotting over to the grilled fish.

“Wow! Grilled fish, ready to eat!”

Seeing the cooked fish, Jonouchi’s mouth watered uncontrollably.

“Is this a gift from above, a special grilled fish lunch because the heavens pity me? It must be!”

Starving to the point of delirium, Jonouchi took the fish as a divine “free lunch,” bowing again and again to the blue sky.

While Jonouchi drooled and thanked the heavens for the fish, Yuuya chatted with Yugi and his friends about their reunion.

“Yugi, from the look of it, you’ve already beaten Weevil Underwood, haven’t you?” Yuuya noted the Duelist Glove on Yugi’s right hand, where three bronze Star Chips were already slotted in.

“Yes!” Yugi nodded, then added, “Even though Weevil threw my grandpa’s precious card into the ocean and made me furious, I have to admit—his dueling skills and deck are really strong! If I hadn’t drawn the winning card, ‘Summoned Skull,’ in the final duel, he might’ve won! As expected of the champion of Japan’s first Duel Monsters Tournament!”