Chapter 1290: Jack vs. Copy Yusei

Z-ONE's statement confirmed a guess Kira had made earlier.

Indeed, the other Z-ONE that had appeared was an alternate from another dimension and, in fact, not real.

Just like the copies he had encountered before, this Z-ONE was also a copy—another self created using Z-ONE's own personality replication technology.

The remaining question was: Why? So many copies, even including Z-ONE himself—who created them, and for what purpose? Or had the neighboring dimension they came from already been completely taken over by copying machines?

That fake Z-ONE said: "Correct, I am artificial, but I am also real. You understand that best, don't you?"

Z-ONE did not respond.

Indeed, Z-ONE himself did not have a completely clear attitude toward whether "a copied personality counts as the original." But from the original story, when he said he "revived Yusei Fudo in the future," he actually meant he had copied Yusei's personality onto himself. Therefore, in his view, a copy with complete memories and personality could perhaps serve as a substitute for the original.

Z-ONE instead asked: "What is your purpose in coming to this dimension? To destroy this world?"

"Destroy? No, I am here to save it—from your hands," the fake Z-ONE said.

Z-ONE frowned slightly beneath his mask: "From my hands?"

"Correct… Well, we can talk about that slowly later. As for now…"

As he spoke, a circular floating screen projected in mid-air. The projected image showed two Duel Runners racing at high speed on a track—one red, one white. They were the most classic rival pair in 5D's.

Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlas.

Of course, everyone present knew that the Jack Atlas here was the genuine original of this dimension, while the Yusei Fudo was a copy from another dimension.

The two had already entered Turbo Duel mode and were preparing to begin.

The fake Z-ONE said: "I think everyone is interested in how this Duel will develop, right?"

Kira and Z-ONE remained silent, both turning their gaze to the projection screen.

Indeed, they were somewhat looking forward to seeing how this Duel would unfold. How far had Jack Atlas, who had recently gained new power, evolved? And how capable was the copy Yusei?

The roar of engines tore through the air. Red and white afterimages nearly side-by-side cut into the curve. Yusei's red Duel Runner tilted at a near-limit angle, its tires scraping the ground and sending out orange-red sparks.

Just as it was about to hit the guardrail, its front end suddenly extended half a meter beyond Jack's Lucky Wheel. This tiny gap was amplified during the turn. When both vehicles simultaneously drifted, Yusei straightened his vehicle with less than 0.3 seconds of lead. Jack's pupils contracted sharply beneath his helmet. He saw the red afterimage ahead trailing a flame-like tail in the sunlight.

Copy Yusei took the first corner and said: "Looks like I get to go first."

Jack was inwardly amazed that the copy possessed such superb driving skills, but he kept a straight face and coldly snorted with feigned indifference: "Hmph, if you want the first turn so badly, I'll give it to you. Let me see just how much of the real Yusei's skill this counterfeit Duel can replicate!"

"Turbo Duel, Acceleration!"

[Copy Yusei, LP 4000]

[Jack, LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw."

Copy Yusei drew a card, glanced at it once, and immediately Set it on the Duel Disk. "Set 1 monster in face-down Defense Position. Turn end."

Jack immediately frowned.

He only Set one monster and passed…

He observed the opponent's expression and felt he understood. The opponent was giving him a chance to show off, wanting to see his level first before counterattacking.

Making such a decision likely meant the opponent had absolute confidence in his own strength—confident that he could counter and win at any time, with plenty of room to spare.

Thinking of this, a surge of anger rose in Jack's heart.

"Even the real Yusei wouldn't dare show the slightest carelessness against me. Since you're so confident, then feel the wrath of Jack Atlas! My turn, draw!"

Jack played his classic monster that almost always came out in the back row.

"Special Summon 'Vice Dragon'!"

The ferocious-looking Vice Dragon spread its wings and appeared on Jack's field, but upon landing, its body was immediately enveloped in purple light. Within that light, it seemed to shrink rapidly, becoming only half its original size.

[Vice Dragon, ATK 2000 → ATK 1000]

"Vice Dragon can be Special Summoned directly from the hand when there is a monster on the opponent's field and none on your own. However, when Special Summoned by this effect, this card's original ATK and DEF are halved."

Jack immediately removed the summoned Vice Dragon from the Duel Disk.

"Next, Tribute 'Vice Dragon' to Tribute Summon! Inherit the power of the Vice Dragon and crush the enemy with raging winds! Strong Wind Dragon!"

Vice Dragon disintegrated into light particles. Those countless particles gathered, stirring up a green storm. The green, burly dragon lord of the hurricane landed on Jack's side.

[Strong Wind Dragon, ATK 2400]

"When Strong Wind Dragon is Tribute Summoned by Tributing a Dragon-Type monster, it gains ATK equal to half the original ATK of the Tributed monster!" Jack said. "The Vice Dragon sent to the Graveyard had its original ATK reset to 2000, so Strong Wind Dragon gains 1000 ATK!"

[Strong Wind Dragon, ATK 2400 → ATK 3400]

Jack glanced at the opponent's face-down monster in the back row and snorted: "If you're imitating Yusei's tactics, then the monster Set on the first turn is most likely something like 'Shield Wing' that cannot be destroyed by battle in Defense Position, right? That way, you can block attacks from low-Level monsters and keep it on the field to prepare for Synchro attacks next turn…"

After all, as a teammate on the 5D's team and a longtime friend and rival who grew up together, Jack was quite familiar with Yusei's tactics.

"But such tactics won't work! When Strong Wind Dragon attacks a Defense Position monster, if its ATK exceeds the DEF, it can inflict piercing damage!"

Jack shouted. "Attack the face-down Defense Position monster with 'Strong Wind Dragon'! Raging Hurricane!"

Strong Wind Dragon unleashed a storm. The green whirlwind, carrying thousands of blades, slashed toward the opponent's Set monster.

Copy Yusei glanced at the hurricane rushing from Strong Wind Dragon and said calmly: "Your prediction of my tactics is indeed good, but unfortunately, it seems I am still one step ahead."

The Set monster flipped over, revealing its true form.

[Fortress Warrior, DEF 1200]

"Fortress Warrior cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn," Copy Yusei said. "Moreover, all battle damage this card's controller would take becomes 0."