Chapter 1190: Goodwin's Conspiracy

The moment "Goodwin" finished, the protagonists were all shocked.

Yusei could no longer hold back. "Goodwin! Why? Didn't you gather us here? Didn't you want us to defeat the Dark Signers? Weren't you trying to protect this city and its innocent people?"

Akiza also cried out, "You helped me climb out of despair and join the Signers. Was that all a lie too?"

"Indeed," replied "Goodwin", unflinching. "Each of you had your own role to play. Now, you've finished your parts. Time to step off the stage."

He stood at the top of the altar, opening his duel disk.

"Although I don't mind continuing to talk, every second wasted brings us closer to the Netherworld's opening. The Master will descend at any moment.

Do you really want to keep wasting time with words?"

Kira thought his performance deserved an Oscar—truly professional.

Well, one reason not to make small talk is that the more you talk, the more likely you are to slip up. Better to cut to the chase and duel.

Yusei frowned, "So, if we beat you in a duel, we can stop the Door from opening? Is that it?"

Jack growled, "I've been wanting to test your limits, Goodwin. I will crush your ambition!"

Crow shouted, "So many kids in Satellite were hurt because of the wars with Earthbound Immortals—because of guys like you!

If you're the mastermind behind all this, Goodwin, I will never forgive you!"

Kira chuckled, spreading his arms. "Fine. The three of you can come at me together."

"Nani?!"

All three were stunned.

Together? Even knowing Goodwin's strength, taking on all three at once… How confident and arrogant could he be? How much did he look down on them?

Jack spat, "Are you looking down on us?"

"Exactly," Kira admitted straightforwardly.

"We'll use tag-duel rules: each side takes turns with one round. You three share 12,000 LP, and I'll also have 12,000 LP. Any objections?"

Though it was still a three-on-one, Kira had modified the rules from the show's original. He wasn't as comfortable with Riding Duels—one-on-one was casual enough, but a trio against him using unfamiliar rules would be too much, so he chose the classic standing duel.

Jack instantly activated his duel disk. "Fine! Since you're asking for it, we'll show you our power and utterly wipe you out!"

"Duel!" ×4

[Kira, LP: 12,000]

[Crow / Jack / Yusei, LP: 12,000]

Kira: "I'll go first. Draw."

He drew his card and, without much thought, summoned a monster.

"I normal summon 'Chaos Core'!"

A small black demon appeared, its chest glowing with a pulsing core. Its vicious bone wings spread wide and crimson energy welled in a cloud.

[Chaos Core, ATK 0]

"Then I set a card facedown. End turn."

His opponents were perplexed.

Crow: "A monster with 0 attack?"

Jack: "Bastard, are you underestimating us?"

Luna, watching, was confused. "And in attack position? Is this uncle trying to lose?"

Yusei, though, kept his cool. "Everyone be careful—something's fishy."

"Don't overthink, Yusei!" Crow interrupted.

"If you hesitate, you'll miss your chance! No matter what's lined up, I'll duel my own way and charge ahead!"

"My turn! Draw!"

It was Crow who attacked first.

"From my hand, I summon 'Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn'!"

Black feathers swirled through the air; a helmeted Blackwing warrior materialized, dark wings arching like a fallen angel.

[Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn, ATK 2000]

Luna: "He summoned a level 5 monster without a tribute?"

Crow explained, "If you have no monsters, but your opponent does, you can Normal Summon Sirocco the Dawn without Tribute!"

He then played another card from his hand.

"Next, I Special Summon 'Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind'!"

Another gust of wind, a small, crow-like Blackwing with big round eyes—almost like it wore glasses.

[Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind, ATK 1300]

"Gale is level 3, Sirocco is level 5—that's a total of level 8!"

Crow continued, "With the levels of my Blackwing monsters totaling eight, I can Special Summon 'Blackwing – Calima the Haze' from my hand! (Anime effect)

Come! 'Blackwing – Calima the Haze'!"

[Blackwing – Calima the Haze, ATK 600]

Luna: "Wow, three monsters summoned first turn! Crow is amazing!"

Kira chuckled. "A relentless, bullet-like assault—all at top speed to pin the opponent down. So that's the Blackwing style."

"Of course!" Crow replied, pride clear. "Listen up! I, Crow Hogan, may not be a Signer or have any mysterious power, but I'll never lose to the likes of you!"

Kira thought: You may not have any powers now, but you do have the champion deck...

That said, Crow's build still wasn't anything like world champion Blackwing decks. And at this stage (early 5Ds), even Blackwings didn't have all their most powerful cards. Crow was not yet even a Signer—the least formidable among the group.

If Kira was to judge, Crow was about a seven-star duelist, not quite at the almost-cheating level of Yusei or Jack.

That, of course, was why Kira, as the "darkened Goodwin," had to show up now.

Whether or not Yusei and company could ultimately grow stronger was the real key to saving this dimension.

"But I'm not done yet!"

Crow raised his hand.

"Level 3, tuner monster 'Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind'!

Level 4, 'Blackwing – Calima the Haze!'

Tuning!"

[3+4=7]

"Dark winds, become wings soaring through the sky! Synchro Summon—

—Blackwing Armor Master!"