CHAPTER 410: CHAPTER 409: THE ROAD TO THE FINAL DUEL

"Jaden!"

Midori was the first to rush onto the stage after the duel. Jaden was wobbling, half-kneeling, head down, looking half-dead.

But when she helped him up, he turned to her with a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry, sensei, I’m fine. Sorry... I still lost."

Only then did Midori relax, breathing a sigh of relief. She ruffled Jaden’s hair. "It’s okay, you did great. As long as you’re safe."

Yet she was a bit puzzled, glancing at the Arbiter.

Midori now clearly understood how terrifying a Shadow Duel was. Usually, losers ended up soulless and unconscious.

Her brother, Koyo, had just fallen into a coma after losing to this very man.

But Jaden seemed fine.

She realized the Arbiter hadn’t used that ominous "Seal of Orichalcos" this duel. Supposedly, those who lose inside it have their souls taken.

Why?

She didn’t believe for a second it was because the Arbiter was afraid he’d lose. Even she could tell he was a duelist beyond normal limits.

Throughout the duel, he’d been completely calm. As much as she hated to admit it, it seemed he’d been in control from the start, both with Koyo and Jaden.

So why spare Jaden?

"Do you want his other soul?" Kira spoke up as the Arbiter stepped down from the stage.

The Arbiter paused, squinting at Kira.

"Oh?" he said. "Fujiki Kira, you’re becoming more and more interesting. How much do you know?"

They stared at each other for a few seconds.

"You guessed right," the Arbiter nodded, glancing at Jaden.

"This boy is only halfway there. Even if I beat him now, I’d only get a decent duelist’s soul. But I don’t really need more souls like that."

He spoke calmly.

"In fact, if I did that, I’d lose the connection to the powerful soul I really want. That would be a waste."

As Kira suspected, his real target was the Supreme King.

The Seal of Orichalcos only takes a single soul, like when Atem lost and Yugi offered himself in his place.

The Arbiter must have decided that even if he won here, it’d only net him Jaden’s soul—not worth it. He was after the Supreme King.

But...

"What do you mean, a connection to the powerful soul?" Kira asked.

Logically, the Supreme King should be inside Jaden, albeit deeply asleep, like an inner personality. If the Arbiter beat Jaden now, wouldn’t that awaken the inner personality? Then he could duel and defeat the Supreme King, and claim that power.

But he said otherwise: that beating Jaden now would cut off the connection.

So does that mean the Supreme King isn’t actually inside Jaden?

The Arbiter didn’t explain, just gave a strange laugh.

"Well, who knows?"

He walked past Kira, pausing briefly behind him.

"But if I were you, I wouldn’t have the time to worry about others right now."

Half his body cloaked in shadow, he spoke coldly.

"Soon, it’ll be your turn. Once I collect all the Sealing Device you possess..."

He chuckled darkly, then walked away.

Kira: "..."

As the Arbiter left, a tall figure stepped in front of him.

Seto Kaiba.

"You needn’t worry about that," Kaiba said coolly.

"Because I’ll be the one to defeat him in the end."

Kira understood.

The semifinals’ first match—Jaden vs the Arbiter—was over. Now, only he and Kaiba remained.

If he lost to Kaiba, he’d have nothing to do with the final. Saving the world and all that would be Kaiba’s job.

In the past, he might have thought that a good deal.

"...I understand," Kira said to Kaiba, "but I won’t go easy on you, President."

"Hmph."

Kaiba’s lips curled in a slight, approving smile.

"That’s more like it. In half an hour, right here. Don’t keep me waiting."

He turned to leave, then paused and looked at Jaden on stage.

"Your friend... he’s a proud duelist too. One day, he’ll stand at the top of the world. Don’t get left behind."

"I know," Kira nodded.

Kaiba left without another word.

Kira finally walked onto the field, approaching Jaden.

"How’re you feeling?"

"My head still hurts."

Jaden lay on the ground, sighing.

"Ah, it’s so frustrating to lose."

"I warned you," Kira shrugged.

"But... it was a great duel."

Jaden sat up, suddenly lost in thought.

"More importantly, what the Arbiter said... I think he was right."

"What do you mean?"

"About forgetting something important." Jaden paused. "Now I remember. She was my first spirit, my favorite monster.

But later... for reasons I couldn’t help, she was launched into space. I don’t know where she is now..."

Kira patted his shoulder. "Either way, you remembered now, right? As long as you have a bond with your monsters, you’ll meet again someday."

"...Yeah, you’re right. Okay!"

Jaden slapped his cheeks and perked up.

"Before that, I have to become a more reliable duelist."

He sprang to his feet.

"Now, it’s time to cheer for Kira! Your opponent is Seto Kaiba—so jealous, I never got that chance..."

"..."