Chapter 1198: That's the Spirit!

"Blackwing Armor Master, attack Raviel!"

With only 2500 ATK, Armor Master spread his wings and charged toward the towering Raviel. The difference in size was as great as a mantis blocking a chariot.

Kira narrowed his eyes, "But that effect…"

Armor Master's punch crashed into Raviel. But of course, with such a power gap, Raviel didn't budge, like a mosquito hitting a wall—completely unaffected.

Of course, Armor Master couldn't be destroyed by battle, so he was safe.

But as Armor Master retreated, if you looked closely, you could see a tiny nail-like object left on Raviel's huge body where the punch landed.

Crow: "Armor Master's monster effect! Any battle damage I take is reduced to 0, and after battling, I place a wedge counter on the opposing monster!"

So in effect, it places a wedge marker.

"Now I use Armor Master's effect again!" Crow called. "By removing that wedge counter, until the end of this turn, the monster's ATK and DEF become 0!"

"Oh?" Kira replied, "That effect can be used in the Battle Phase too?"

He thought briefly—it was true, the anime Armor Master would remove the wedge in the same Battle Phase, letting other Blackwings immediately finish the opponent.

This ability was way better than the printed card, which only removes the wedge in Main Phase. That means if you wedge an enemy in battle, the earliest you could drop their stats is the next turn—assuming Armor Master even survived.

Crow: "Drop Raviel's ATK to zero!"

The wedge was removed. Instantly, cracks spread outward from the wedge across Raviel's body, webbing like a spider's web—until the giant demon looked like he was about to shatter like porcelain.

[Lord of Phantasms Raviel, ATK 4000 → ATK 0]

"Continue the battle!" Crow commanded.

"Blackwing - Bora the Spear, attack Raviel!"

That's the strength of anime Armor Master: you can bottle up the boss in the same Battle Phase and immediately finish with a follow-up. Bora leapt, lance spinning, a shockwave blowing through Raviel's chest through the cracks.

A resounding crash. Raviel's body collapsed, crumbling into countless shards and debris.

[Kira, LP 7400 → LP 5700]

"How about that! Defeated the strongest Sacred Beast!" Crow said. "This is the strength of the Blackwings—together, no matter how strong the enemy, we can topple them!"

Kira dusted himself off, "That's not a bad point."

But then he smiled and added,

"Well, even with your proud Blackwings, you're only bringing out a fraction of their potential."

"Nani?" Crow demanded angrily. "What did you say?"

To question his strength, fine. He could admit the opponent might be better in a straight fight. But to doubt his connection, his bond with his monsters—that he couldn't bear!

"The Blackwings' potential is far greater than you think, Crow Hogan. Right now you're using just a tiny bit of it."

Kira paused, glancing at Yusei and Jack.

"In fact, Fudou Yusei, Jack Atlas, your decks are the same. All of you have limitless potential. Whether you can evolve your decks to that level depends on yourselves."

The three of them all felt a surge of emotions.

What's he getting at all of a sudden?

Sure, Yusei's Synchros, Jack's Resonators, Crow's Blackwings all had massive future support, their decks had huge room to grow—just like themselves.

Actually, this was why Kira bothered dueling them. His role here as 'villain' was to help them progress faster.

He smiled again, "But potential is just that—potential. Unless it awakens, it's just possibility. If you want to develop it… first you'd better survive today."

Crow gritted his teeth. "Don't get cocky!

I may be done with my Battle Phase, but my turn isn't over!"

He played another card.

"Activate Spell Card 'Shield Crush'! Destroy one Defense Position monster on the field!"

A green magical beam pierced straight through the defending mass of black sludge on Kira's field. The chaotic vortex exploded, breaking apart into fragments.

Crow: "Besides the Sacred Beasts, your Phantom of Chaos can transform next turn—I haven't forgotten!"

He drew two more cards.

"I'll set two cards face down and end my turn!"

Crow pumped his fist.

"Whatever else you have, Sacred Beasts or whatever else, bring them on! The bond we share with our monsters, and among ourselves, will never lose!"

"Haha, not bad, not bad. That's the fire I want to see."

Kira clapped.

"Yes, that's what I want—bonds can overcome anything. Keep at it."

The trio: "…"

When your opponent, who's about to destroy the world, steals your shounen-passion lines, for a moment you can't tell if he's mocking you or what.

"But it's not enough—not enough."

Kira shook his head.

"With this level of spirit, you still can't beat me—or truly defeat the Sacred Beasts."

Yusei's heart trembled.

Can't beat… does that mean the Sacred Beast isn't really down for good?

…