Who Let Him Play Yugioh? (Re-Upload)

Level Eater—a card Yusei used often in the anime. It allows reducing the level of any level 5+ monster you control by 1, to Special Summon itself from the grave. More importantly, there's no once-per-turn restriction.

Its power is obvious. In today's metagame, this card would break the game, coming back multiple times a turn. It could fuel burn, act as extra material, or create wild combos.

But back in the 5DS era, it wasn't banned yet. The game wasn't as wild as in modern times, but even now, this bug showed its power.

"I reduce Quickdraw Synchron's level from 5 to 4, Special Summon Level Eater from the grave!" Yusei announced.

[Quickdraw Synchron, LV5 → LV4]

A shadowy insect darted through the mechanical cowboy, stealing one of its stars, then landed onto the field.

[Level Eater, ATK 600]

"Now I have a level 4 Tuner—Quickdraw Synchron, and a level 1 Level Eater. Tune!"

[4+1=5]

"Gather, newborn stars, and carve a path of shining light! Synchro Summon! Come forth—Junk Warrior!"

Quickdraw Synchron and Level Eater, Yusei's classic starting combo, summoned Junk Warrior—a frequent sight in early episodes, even more than his Stardust Dragon.

In starlight, the blue-armored warrior punched through, jet flames burning, electric arcs crackling, spinning up into the air, finishing with a dramatic splits pose.

Junk Warrior, the iconic "Splits Warrior."

[Junk Warrior, ATK 2300]

"Battle!" Yusei called. "Junk Warrior, attack Phantom of Chaos!"

Although Phantom of Chaos had a powerful effect, it only copied monsters in its controller's turn. Outside of that, it reverted to 0 attack—a huge weakness.

Yusei swung his arm as if his shout would make his Junk Warrior hit harder.

"Junk Punch!"

"So you're going for Phantom's weak spot, huh Yusei—you never miss a chance," Kira smiled. "But if I let you through so easily, I'd be a fool..."

With a snap of his fingers: "I activate my set card—Trap Card, Magic Cylinder!"

Everyone was stunned.

Kira's field flipped open, "Magic Cylinder!"

Two magical cylinders appeared. Junk Warrior's punch shot into one, the power sucked inside. The other cylinder rotated, sending the energy back at the opponent.

"Magic Cylinder negates the attacking monster's attack, then deals damage to the opponent equal to that monster's attack," Kira said. "Take 2300 damage!"

"Not so fast!" Jack shouted. "You're not just facing Yusei! I activate my set card—counter trap Crimson Fire!"

Yusei smiled at Jack, "Jack!"

"Crimson Fire: as long as I have 'Red Dragon Archfiend' on my field, if the opponent activates a spell or trap that would deal damage, I reflect that damage at double value back to them!"

Red Dragon Archfiend roared, flames forming a shield. Magic Cylinder's energy slammed into the shield, then flared up and bounced back, becoming dragon fire striking Kira directly.

"Good job, Jack!" Crow cheered. "That's the power of The Enforcers—no weak points!"

Yusei, Jack, and Crow grew up together and, in Satellite, formed the invincible Enforcers, conquering the streets with their dueling.

"Exactly!" Yusei shouted. "Our bonds—the strength to overcome any challenge! Based on Crimson Fire, Goodwin, you take double Junk Warrior's attack, 4600 points of damage!"

Red Dragon Archfiend's flames surged over Kira, hitting for double damage.

[Kira, LP 12000 → 7400]

Kira closed his eyes, taking the hit. "So it's true—with teamwork, you can achieve power far beyond what you could alone. No wonder you're Duel King, Yusei."

He felt it was a little ridiculous that Goodwin really tried to 1v3 the heroes in the original final battle. If he'd fought them one by one, maybe the almost-leveled up protagonists would have lost.

"They actually dealt damage to Goodwin!" Leo cheered on the sidelines.

His sister Luna joined in, "With Yusei, Crow, and Jack together, there's nothing to fear."

Despite the success, Akiza's heart was complicated, not knowing which side to cheer for.

Even after dealing 4600 points of damage thanks to teamwork, Yusei didn't lose his cool. Crimson Fire intercepted the damage, but Magic Cylinder's effect still went off—meaning Junk Warrior's attack was negated, and Phantom of Chaos survived.

If Phantom of Chaos survived, it could copy another Sacred Beast next turn. Each one was powerful—they still had to strengthen their defense.

Yusei considered his cards, then set two in his Duel Disk.

"I set two cards and end my turn!"

"Phew, finally over. The teamwork of the three Signers is nothing to scoff at." Kira let out a breath and smiled.

"Then, it's my turn again."

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