Chapter 52: America Attacks the Bei Group

When Hayato woke up again, he found himself lying in a hospital bed. Jonouchi sat by the bedside, looking exhausted; his eyes kept drooping, but he repeatedly forced himself to stay awake, occasionally slapping himself to snap out of it.

"Jonouchi."

Hayato spoke weakly. Though his voice was faint, Jonouchi, who had almost drifted off, reacted instantly and stood up excitedly: "Hayato, you're awake!"

As he propped himself up in bed, a sharp pain shot through Hayato's head, causing him to instinctively clutch his forehead. "What... happened to me?"

"The doctor said your brain seemed to be stimulated by something, becoming super active, and then you just got exhausted. Your physical strength couldn't keep up, so you fell into a coma." Jonouchi handed Hayato a cup of honey water. "But Yugi said it seems like it happened because you were trying to block an attack from that Pegasus."

"Kuri~" The Rainbow Chestnut Ball popped out from Hayato's collar at the right moment, looking at him with its large, watery eyes, filled with worry.

"I had a bit of a headache at first, but I'm okay now. Thanks for worrying about me." Hayato said this to both Jonouchi and the Rainbow Chestnut Ball. Then, the [Disturbance] brothers also poked their heads out from his collar.

"He actually said thank you~" "A~ni~ki~" "I'm so moved!"

"Ugh! All of you, get out!"

Hayato could accept the cute Rainbow Chestnut Ball hiding in his clothes, but he truly could not stand the [Disturbance] brothers—especially since they were wiping their snot and tears on him in their moment of being "moved."

At the moment, Jonouchi could not yet see the abilities of the Card Spirits, so he could only hear Hayato talking to himself. "Is he really going to be okay?" He couldn't help but worry if Hayato's nerves had malfunctioned due to excessive brain activity.

Hayato suddenly remembered something. He tossed the [Disturbance] brothers, whom he had pulled out of his clothes, to the side and looked at Jonouchi. "By the way, where are Yugi and Grandpa Muto?"

"So, Hayato, you knew about Grandpa..." Seeing Hayato mention Muto Sugoroku, Jonouchi's mood inevitably slumped. He sat down in a chair and said, "That day, after the duel ended, it seemed Pegasus used the power of some kind of eye to snatch Grandpa's soul and seal it inside that television set."

"As I thought, it failed after all." Although he had suspected this before falling into a coma, Hayato couldn't help but feel disappointed. Even though he was a transmigrator, in the end, had he still failed to rewrite the original plot? However, he noticed one detail: "That day? How long was I unconscious?"

"Don't worry too much, it was yesterday. You were only out for one morning." Seeing that Hayato's spirits had slightly recovered, Jonouchi stood up. "Get some more rest, Hayato. I'll go call Yugi, Anzu, and the others to let them know you're safe so they can stop worrying."

———— The Disturbance Brothers are being bandaged ————

Standing on the rooftop, gazing at the sunset sinking below the horizon through the wire mesh, Yugi's mind was filled with myriad thoughts. Thoughts about the injured Hayato, the comatose Grandpa, and that Pegasus.

'Card combinations I've never seen before, and the ability to read minds... can I really defeat an opponent like that?'

'The other me.'

'Aibo, I'm fine. I'm just wondering if I can truly avenge Hayato and Grandpa.'

Just as Yugi was conversing internally with the "other Yugi" residing within the Millennium Puzzle, the sound of the rooftop door being pushed open came from behind him: "Watching the sunset on the rooftop all by yourself? That's quite a poetic choice."

The familiar voice made Yugi turn his head. Seeing the figure with bandages wrapped around his head, Yugi called out his name with concern: "Hayato-kun, your body..."

"Ah, don't worry too much. The doctor said I'm perfectly healthy—at least healthy enough to eat thirteen small pieces of bread. The bandage on my head is just because I accidentally bumped into a doorframe when I was being discharged. Honestly, why are hospital doorframes so low?" With a relaxed smile, Hayato walked over to Yugi's side with his hands in his pockets, looking out at the rooftop scenery and feeling the evening breeze.

"So, are you going to Duel Kingdom?"

Yugi did not hesitate: "Yes. I'm going to Pegasus's place to take back Grandpa's soul, and to help you get your revenge, Hayato."

"My revenge can't really be blamed on Pegasus, since I'm the one who went looking for trouble, but what happened to Grandpa Sugoroku is indeed unforgivable." Pulling an envelope from his pocket and handing it to Yugi, Hayato patted [Disturbance Yellow] as it tried to climb back onto his shoulder. "Let's go together when the time comes."

"Eh?" Yugi took the envelope, not quite understanding Hayato's meaning.

"Actually, Pegasus invited me a month ago. He invited me to Duel Kingdom both as a contestant and as his guest. Open that and see."

Yugi opened the envelope and saw several cards inside. The illustrations on the cards were different, seemingly each having its own purpose.

"An invitation to the Kingdom, which serves as your proof of being invited to 'Duel Kingdom.' Additionally, there are a few cards that serve as rule explanations for Duel Kingdom." Hayato also pulled out a stack of cards similar to the ones in Yugi's hand, though a few of his cards had slightly different designs.

"'Ticket to the Kingdom' is the proof for traveling to Duel Kingdom; 'Left Hand' and 'Right Hand' are the ultimate rewards; the 'Duelist Glove' is the proof of qualification as a Duelist." Unlike Yugi's final card, which was 'Kingdom,' Hayato's final card was 'Duel Monster.' "This one can be considered a ticket. Although I was also invited by that guy Pegasus, mine seems to be for first class."

"Other duelists have to board the ship alone, but I can bring more than one person." Smiling, he turned around, and both Yugi and Hayato's gazes fell upon the group that had also arrived on the rooftop. "For example, Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda."

"Is everyone going to Duel Kingdom together too?"

"Of course! After all, Yugi, you're so timid; what if you get bullied once you get there?" Anzu said righteously, hands on her hips.

Honda crossed his arms over his chest: "Aren't we friends? In times like this, of course we stand together."

"It's Duel Kingdom, after all! Even though I hate that Pegasus, I can't miss such a rare grand event in the world of Duel Monsters." Jonouchi patted his chest. "Besides, I have to avenge Hayato and Grandpa."

But just as Jonouchi finished speaking, Honda ruthlessly undercut him

"What 'revenge'? You're clearly just eyeing the prize money, just like during the last National Duel Monsters Selection Tournament." As he spoke, Honda patted Jonouchi on the shoulder. "And with your strength, just don't let Hayato and Yugi do the avenging for you."

"Honda, you bastard!"

The bickering between the two brightened the lonely atmosphere Yugi had felt while alone on the rooftop. Watching Honda and Jonouchi scuffle, the group burst into cheerful laughter. Looking at his companions, Yugi made a silent vow in his heart

*Wait for me, Pegasus! I will definitely take back Grandpa's soul!*