This tiny monster leaps onto the field at the critical moment. Its small form swells instantly, becoming a massive, unbreakable shield that blocks all the vines unleashed by Yubel.
"Nice!" Mokuba can't help but cheer. "Even Yubel's attacks were completely blocked! Kira's dueling really leaves no gaps. No wonder even my brother—"
He stops as soon as the words leave his mouth, suddenly realizing something's off. He quickly glances at Kaiba, who, just a moment ago, had a hint of approval on his face. But now, hearing Mokuba's words, Kaiba's smile instantly vanishes and his expression turns stern.
"So Yubel's attack was stopped too," the Arbiter says coldly. "The battle phase is over. But if you think you've made it through just because of that, you're being far too optimistic."
He reveals another card from his hand.
"I activate the Spell Card—Raigeki!"
Mokuba is shocked: "Raigeki? That card is banned in tournaments!"
Raigeki is one of the few cards, like Chaos Emperor Dragon, that's explicitly stated as forbidden in the anime. But Raigeki's ban was from the DM era, and back then, cards that could deal direct effect damage without cost were also banned. The anime did have forbidden cards, but the banned/restricted list was always a bit different from real life.
Now, cards that deal effect damage have been proven to be just average in practice, so by the GX era they're unbanned. But a board-nuke like Raigeki? Of course, it's still forbidden.
Technically, using a forbidden card should get you disqualified. The Arbiter should have lost by now in this Duelist Kingdom.
But everyone knows by now: this isn't about winning or losing a tournament. This duel is for the fate of the world itself. Betting your life means there are no bans or limits.
Heavy, leaden clouds gather overhead, like the anger of the gods brewing. Lightning crackles, thunder roars, countless electric serpents dance in the sky, weaving a dense net.
A bolt of lightning splits the sky, like a whip of divine wrath, crashing down with destructive force. Blinding light fills the world, lightning following after, tearing through the air like a sword.
Raigeki destroys all monsters on the opponent's field. Simple and brutal, yet containing absolute power, it sweeps the field in an instant. Both the Black Luster Soldier and Ryu Senshi are obliterated in the flash.
"Hey! Using a forbidden card? That's dirty!" Mokuba yells. "You're disqualified!"
The Arbiter remains unfazed, indifferent. Clearly, the idea of winning a tournament never mattered to him. After all, to a demon god out to destroy the world, reputation is meaningless. In a Shadow Duel, the only rule is the duel itself.
"No matter," Kira says calmly. "This duel is for the fate of the world. It's only natural that both sides use every means possible."
"Oh? You can stay so calm... Does that mean you still think you can win, even ?"
Kira neither confirms nor denies.
The Arbiter muses for a moment.
"You know, we don't actually have to fight," he says, squinting at Kira. "I still don't know what you really are, but I doubt the human world has much to do with you, does it?"
The sneaky snake is probably thinking: with this guy's scheming, he's no ordinary Duelist, probably some evil spirit or dark being possessing this boy. Maybe they don't have to be enemies—maybe there's even a chance to recruit him.
But Kira is at a loss.
Wait, did you just kick me out of humanity with a few words?
There's no Duelist more upright than me in this world!
"Since the moment humans gained wisdom, darkness has spread," the Arbiter says flatly. "I have existed for endless ages, seeing far more than any human could imagine.
That's why I can bear witness to this.
The fall of once-great Atlantis, and the birth of new civilizations, flourishing to this day. Ages pass, people change, regions, tribes, cultures, roots—all different. But all humans, without exception, repeat war, hatred, and plunder, endlessly hurting each other.
What I bring is the darkness they themselves created. It is fate. Even if you stop me, new darkness will eventually take form. The chain of hatred will continue without end."
"Like the hatred of the Doma Swordsmen?" Kira says quietly.
The Arbiter frowns slightly.
Kira doesn't elaborate, but the meaning is clear.
Past and present, the Doma swordsmen have always viewed loyalty to their organization as life's purpose, driven by endless hatred.
But ironically, that hatred was sown by the very organization they serve. Their tragedies, inner darkness—all orchestrated behind the scenes by Orichalcos.
If that's how the swordsmen's lives are, who's to say how much of history's hatred and darkness was this person's doing?
"Indeed—sometimes in human history, I'm not just a bystander," the Arbiter admits. "Sometimes, I get involved, but all I do is give a little nudge from behind.
If humans had no darkness or evil in their hearts, things would never have gotten this far."
"If you say so," Kira chuckles.
Going by what happened to the Doma Swordsmen, you call that a little nudge? Sure, whatever you say, boss.
"Very well. It's a shame we can't see eye to eye," the Arbiter says gravely. "As a Duelist, you have remarkable skill. Perhaps we didn't need to be enemies.
But since you insist, don't think I'm afraid of you."
With a flourish, he sets another card.
"Set one card in my back row."
A burst of golden light erupts from his back row, and a shadowy figure rises from the ground—it's like a lotus blooming from the abyss.
"When I activated 'Serial Spell,' I discarded 'Samsara Lotus' from my hand," the Arbiter says coldly. "When Samsara Lotus is in the graveyard at the end phase, it can special summon itself in attack position." (anime effect)
In the anime, this card was Yubel's perfect partner. But when made into a real card, a restriction was added: "This effect can only be used if you have no other spells/traps in your back row," making it much less practical.
No one could have guessed that, years later, Konami would print a new, even stronger version as Yubel's dedicated support card.
Arbiter: "Then, Yubel's effect: If Yubel isn't tributed at the end of the turn, it destroys itself.
So, I tribute 'Samsara Lotus,' keeping Yubel on the field."
Samsara Lotus dissolves in a golden glow, its energy flowing into Yubel, letting her remain on the field.