A helicopter bearing the KC logo descended slowly onto the helipad atop the Foundation's building, its black form like a giant dragonfly and the roar of its rotors gradually fading.
Kira and Kaiba Mokuba disembarked together, accompanied by a squad of KaibaCorp's classic sunglasses-and-suit security, as well as a certain Duel Security Consultant with a Duel Disk strapped on.
So-called Duel Security Consultants are people hired by companies specifically to handle situations that need to be settled by dueling.
KaibaCorp is a bit unique, though, since whenever they run into a strong opponent, the President himself likes to jump in and duel them personally. As a result, most of KaibaCorp's duel consultants spend their ti slacking off.
Leading the team was the ever-loyal sunglasses-wearing Roland, who's been by Kaiba's side since the original Duel Monsters series.
Though Roland never had many lines, he left a deep impression on early ani fans. For one, Kaiba would always take him everywhere, giving the illusion that he was the company's only bodyguard.
Secondly, no matter what happened, this guy was always calm—so calm that it was almost abnormal.
During Battle City, when the pressure of the Egyptian Gods made everyone in the arena gasp for breath, only Roland, standing as judge, remained unflappable, even calmly reminding duelists to play properly.
And when Mr. Pegasus hosted a Shadow Duel that erased the loser's body, leaving nothing behind, Roland still stood by, blank-faced, as if to say, "No big deal, nothing to be alard about here."
You always got the sense that Roland was so hidden boss who'd seen it all.
Now, Roland had beco Kaiba's most trusted assistant, serving as head of security and personally leading the way. The Foundation's staff were already waiting, greeted them, and led everyone inside.
Passing through a wide, brightly lit corridor adorned with expensive paintings, they reached a heavy wooden door at the end. As it slowly opened, it revealed a lavish dining room.
Soft lighting cast a warm glow on the exquisitely set table, which was piled high with dishes as beautiful as works of art, filling the air with delicious aromas.
Pegasus Tenma stood up and walked over to shake Mokuba's hand.
"Thank you for coming," he said, pausing. "I regret that President Kaiba couldn't join us in person."
"My brother's abroad. Whatever you need to say to him, you can say to ," Mokuba replied. "So, you said there was so misunderstanding between us. What exactly happened?"
"I was just about to explain. But let's not stand—everyone, please have a seat and enjoy so food first."
Tenma clapped his hands, and servants imdiately ca forward to seat everyone. One by one, they took their places.
Kira noticed Tenma's group of card professors standing behind him and imdiately recognized Kirk Dixon, whom he'd only recently seen in the virtual world.
Kira smiled and waved in greeting, but Kirk just scowled, turning away in silence.
Looks like Mr. Legendary got a bit of trauma.
Whatever the case, Kira figured a free al was never a loss. After all, he was mostly here to watch the drama and eat.
"International Illusions was hacked a week ago," Tenma began. "A mysterious hacker broke through our firewall and stole a large amount of card data and research files from our servers."
Mokuba frowned. "You got hacked? Seriously?"
"Yes. There aren't many people in the world with that kind of skill."
Tenma sipped a bit of red wine.
"When we analyzed the hacking technique, there were so technical features that seed very familiar."
"Oh? Who do you suspect?"
Tenma enunciated, "Kaiba Corporation."
"Impossible," Mokuba shot back. "We never have, and we have no reason to hack International Illusions."
But as soon as he spoke, he realized the motive wasn't entirely out of the question. After all, there was so old history between them and Tenma.
"I thought so too. That's why I'm just here to confirm, just in case. Now that I know it wasn't KaibaCorp if we've bothered you, the Foundation is willing to make ands."
"So that's why you tried to break into the Link System—because it's connected to our Duel Terminals, and you wanted to access our data?"
Mokuba pondered.
"It's not a loss for us. But do you think the hacker is connected to us?"
"I know KaibaCorp has also had hacker problems lately," Tenma replied, dodging the question. "There are very few people who could breach both our companies' systems."
"Sounds like you have a lead?" Mokuba asked. "A suspect?"
"To call it a 'suspect' might not be exact," Tenma said gravely. "It might not even be a human."
Mokuba was shocked. "What do you an?"
Tenma shifted gears. "KaibaCorp used to be a world leader in AI research. Your team was considered the closest in the world to creating true digital life, right?"
"You an... AI?"
Mokuba shook his head.
"Impossible. Seto and I ordered all digital life research stopped a long ti ago. Ever since... that incident, we shut everything down."
He paused.
"We only work on Duel AIs now."
Kira could guess that "that incident" referred to the Noah arc in the DM ani.
KaibaCorp hadn't just co close to creating digital life—they'd succeeded. But after Noah's AI went berserk and tried to seize their real bodies, they banned further digital life research.
Now, their current AIs—like the AI Kaiba Kira had faced—were just pure duel programs. They could simulate the real Kaiba's tactics, personality, and playstyle, but ultimately, they were just copies, with no true mind or soul.
True sentient AI would be like Noah—an actual person living in the digital world.
"The only digital life ever created died years ago," Mokuba said darkly. "There's nothing like that anymore."
"That's not certain," Tenma replied, leaning back in his chair.
"I'm just offering a line of inquiry. Whether you believe it or how you want to follow up is up to you."
Mokuba frowned, silent.
About a minute of silence passed. Everyone ate quietly, as Tenma took another sip of wine.
He then took a napkin from a servant and wiped his mouth. "Once again, it's a sha President Kaiba couldn't be here. Since that incident, we haven't t again, and I've always wanted to apologize to him in person."
He paused, then added, "Whether as a representative of Illusions or as a duelist."
Mokuba said nothing.
"I think I can guess what Kaiba's thinking," Tenma said, closing his eyes. "He believes it was the Wicked God who beat him, not , right? Now that the Wicked God is gone, I'm not a worthy opponent for him—is that it?"
Mokuba smiled. "That's not for to say. That's your assumption."
But he didn't deny it.
It was true—even Mokuba thought so. Back then, Kaiba lost not to Tenma, but to the Wicked God.
Like the Egyptian Gods, the Wicked God's cards didn't just have powerful effects—they also granted their users imnse luck and destiny. Not to ntion, at the ti, Tenma's mind was under the card's influence, practically controlled by it.
After Yugi defeated Tenma, it was said that Pegasus destroyed the Wicked God cards. So, in Kaiba's eyes, Tenma was just the vessel of that card, not the man who once beat him. Even if Tenma showed up to challenge him now, it would be aningless.
"I get it. I can't deny it. Still, as a duelist, it's hard not to feel a bit frustrated."
Tenma smiled, then opened his eyes and turned his gaze to Kira, who'd been quietly focused on eating this whole ti.
"You're... Fujiki Kira, right? A student at Duel Academy?"
Kira looked up.
Wait, why is the spotlight on now?
"First, thank you for teaching my card professor a lesson today. I've told them there's always soone stronger, but it seems firsthand experience works best."
"No problem," Kira waved it off. If you're grateful, you could let check out Pegasus's warehouse...
"Kirk gave you a very special evaluation, so I looked into you a bit. Turns out, you're the one who beat the hijacked AI at KaibaLand. No wonder Kaiba took notice of you."
Kira rested his chin on his hand.
He could sll the scent of free cards.
Tenma: "So, if you don't mind, I have a presumptuous request..."
At that mont, a servant stepped up and handed Tenma a Duel Disk already loaded with a deck.
"...Would you duel ?"
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