he was unaware of the allure of magic or the intrigue of shadow games. A disciplined day of training to refine the latest additions to his deck of sea-based cards transformed into one of his most unforeseen encounters to date. Within a short time, he noticed a pair of individuals in cloaks following him. The distance made it impossible to discern the content of their conversation, but the unsettling feeling crawling up his spine hinted it wasn't a positive interaction. In situations like this, Kajiki abides to his own morals. If they want a problem, he’ll give them one with his marine dueling prowess.
Securing his deck in the duel-disk, Kajiki is raring to go. As he pointed his sandaled foot towards the daring duo of goons, he failed to notice the chilling air growing thick with foreboding. He glared at the figures, their hoods concealing mischievous smiles, his instincts urging him to give his all. And like a raging torrent of the seven seas, he ravaged their offenses with sea stealth stratagem. The victory tastes bitter in his mouth. It didn’t feel as wholesome as challenging his friends during the world championships. Putting his life on the line wasn’t ideal. Not for a card game.
It seemed like another individual experienced a similar fate. This man had a familiar face: fair-looking, with a good head on his shoulders. By the looks of his encounter, luck wasn’t in his favor. While he wasn’t keen on jumping into the fray of other people’s disputes, he also didn’t favor being held hostage by some loons. Just what did they take this for, some kind of anime ?
Recognizing the dire situation of the other person, he determines that it's in their best interest to intervene in order to make it out alive. He tags in, observing the two reverse cards on the field. The setup is near perfect.
❝ I activate CARD DESTRUCTION, ❞ he exclaims, approaching from behind the dice duelist. ❝ which allows each player to excavate their hands and draw anew. ❞ five cards purged to the graveyard, Kajiki draws an oceanic haven. ❝ Now I activate the spell field, UMI. With this, all water type monsters gain a 200 attack and defense bonus ! ❞
But that’s not all! Brewing deep within the murky grave was a beast of a marine creature unlike any kind. He beckons it from its purgatory, his ace monster ⸺ his CITADEL WHALE, and with it, sets down SEA STEALTH ATTACK directly from his deck for good measure. Their foe hadn’t chosen wisely when subjecting his armored blue whale with an effect. Within the instant, he negates the activation of the effect and demolishes their stronghold upon resolve.
Still, they had some ways to go. He passes a quick glimpse at the dark-haired male, setting down one last reverse card for insurance. To expect direct gratitude from the duelist was dreaming. When the younger male neglects the important courtesy of modesty, his face twists into a scowl.
He audibly gasped, on the verge of flabbergast. ❝ You make it sound like this is normal for you ⸺ surviving on your own, despite the challenges you've faced ? ❞ The lone wolf act stuck out like a sore thumb, especially to those who were regulars hanging in Yugi’s crew. While he finds the audacity offensive, he opts to restrain himself from scolding in that moment and address it for a more suitable time.
❝ I’m putting everything on the line with your draw. ❞ ⸺ not that he couldn’t wipe the floor with their foes himself, but he wasn’t the one whose ego was on the line. ❝ Let’s blow these fish out of the water. ❞ Preferably, if Otogi had a water-type monster to summon via card effect or traditionally, they could end this shadow game with time to spare.
