Chapter 314: Noah Kaiba
After the massive underwater fortress surfaced, the "S.S. Anne" airship was taken over by Noah and continuously approached. As the entrance at the top of the fortress opened, the airship was swallowed by the fortress like an insect falling into an antlion's pit.
Sitting in the control room, Kaiba wasn't afraid that "Noah," who had already taken control of the entire airship, would eavesdrop on their conversation, and discussed the equipment still usable on the ship with Iso.
The "S.S. Anne" airship extensively used smart equipment connected to the network. Although it was quite convenient for normal use, now that the entire ship was under Noah's control, a large amount of equipment was paralyzed, including but not limited to the airship's navigation system, communication system, self-defense armament system, and duel system.
However, not all equipment was unusable. For some equipment, connecting to the network was completely unnecessary, so Iso actually found some equipment that could be used without a network connection.
"Thermal detection equipment? Are you telling me to carry this thing and fight this sea fortress hand-to-hand?" After glancing at the equipment in Iso's hand, Hayato complained.
"These are the only few pieces of equipment that can be carried around and aren't connected to the network, Mr. Kobayashi," Iso said with a wry smile. "Besides that, even the weapon system has been taken control of. Also, there was a slight unexpected issue with the recent count of all crew members—"
"Mr. Marik Ishtar, who should have been in his room, and Mr. Bakura Ryo, who should still be in the infirmary, have both disappeared."
"Those two guys are gone?" Hayato frowned. "Of all people, it had to be those two troublemakers. Don't tell me they've teamed up?"
Joey Wheeler watched as the Kaiba and Mokuba brothers took over the pilot's work. Although the airship had already been brought into the military fortress, they were still trying hard to regain control of the airship. "What exactly does that guy named Noah want?"
"I don't know, but I do know that ensuring we have the ability to leave here is quite crucial," Kaiba casually replied to Joey Wheeler, glancing at him as his eyes were on the screen, and sneering, "But a mediocre person like you wouldn't understand what these things are, would you?"
"That guy named Noah can actually break through KaibaCorp's firewall, which is among the strongest in the world. How did he even do it?" Kaiba muttered to himself, annoyed. "Energy power, defense armament, positioning navigation... the transfer of control for all systems took only an instant. Is this really something a human can do?"
Kaiba couldn't help but recall the self-introduction that guy named Noah gave earlier. An existence that surpasses everything about Seto Kaiba? "Hmph, impossible."
During this time, the airship finally landed inside the fortress. The landing gear automatically extended, and even the folding stairs to disembark from the airship were ready. At the same time, Noah's figure reappeared on the screen, and his voice was transmitted throughout the entire airship via the broadcast system.
"Are you still trying to challenge the puzzle I left? That won't do, Seto. Something I just threw together has already stumped you. Your abilities are too poor. Doesn't that make it seem like I, who completely surpasses you, am not that impressive?"
Noah had a mocking smile on his face. That punchable look made Joey Wheeler instinctively feel that this Noah was really similar to Kaiba, equally punchable and good at annoying people.
At least Kaiba was easily provoked.
"Now can you tell me what you want, Noah!" Getting up from his seat, Kaiba's eyes were fixed on Noah on the screen.
Noah shook his finger. "For others, whatever you like, but for you, Seto, call me Noah Kaiba."
"Stop spouting nonsense. Are you trying to say your last name is really Kaiba? You sneaky rat!" Kaiba said disdainfully. "Although I don't know which corner you dug up the information that 'Gozaburo Kaiba had a son named Noah Kaiba who died young,' and you think you can scare me with a name like that? Don't be ridiculous!"
In the past period, Kaiba also used the information stored offline in Mokuba's laptop to find information related to the name "Noah Kaiba". In the relevant files of the former KaibaCorp President and Kaiba and Mokuba's adoptive father, Gozaburo Kaiba, Kaiba found the name "Noah Kaiba", but he had already died in a car accident long ago.
Kaiba, who was originally wondering if Noah Kaiba might be Gozaburo Kaiba's illegitimate child, now concluded that this "Noah Kaiba" before him was just an irrelevant guy. As for the external appearance, this wasn't a direct meeting; putting on a motion capture skin or using a beauty filter, anyone could do that.
"Heh heh, Seto, you really are an annoying guy." Hearing that Kaiba actually denied his qualification to bear the name "Kaiba", Noah's expression also turned cold. "As expected, I can't get along with you. But, it doesn't matter. Anyway, the reason I specifically brought you here this time is to completely deny you in every way and crush the very meaning of your existence."
"Using what you're best at, strategic command, which is also the most popular way now, Duel Monsters."
"Alright then, the airship has landed. All you Duelists on board, please disembark?" Noah's figure disappeared from the screen, only his voice continued to echo through the "S.S. Anne"'s broadcast system. "The Top 8 Players of Duel City, there are eight of you, right? Please disembark voluntarily. Don't force me to use force."
As Noah's voice disappeared, on the steel wall surrounding the platform where the "S.S. Anne" landed, countless gun muzzles extended, aiming at various parts of the airship. Although the "S.S. Anne" wasn't shoddily built, using high-strength materials everywhere and having bulletproof treatment, looking at the caliber of the guns aimed at the airship, this was clearly not something bulletproofing could solve.
The anger on Kaiba's face didn't dissipate, but he still picked up the Duel Disk he had removed earlier to use the keyboard and put it back on his arm, turned around, and walked directly towards the exit.
"Kaiba, that Noah guy doesn't seem friendly." Yugi Mutou watched Kaiba pass by him and couldn't help but speak up to remind him.
"Hmph, your reminder is unnecessary, Yugi Mutou," Kaiba said without looking back. "That Noah is after me. You guys just stay on the ship. Don't do anything unnecessary. Also, Kobayashi Hayato, take good care of Mokuba for me."
"Sorry, but I refuse." Hayato shook his head and looked at the large screen that had returned to normal, displaying the external situation of the airship.
"That guy named Noah said it, didn't he? All eight Duelists must disembark. I don't want to stay on the ship and not go down, causing that lunatic to just start shooting recklessly." Hayato followed Kaiba, with an annoyed expression on his face. "Besides, don't forget I haven't settled the score with him yet for interrupting my Duel."
"Then, we'll go together too." Joey Wheeler and Yugi Mutou exchanged glances and said in unison.
Mokuba also wanted to follow the four, but Kaiba was one step ahead and said to Iso, "Iso, keep an eye on Mokuba for me and don't let him disembark. This is my command."
"Yes, President." Iso nodded and held back Mokuba, who was about to step forward. Watching the backs of Kaiba and Hayato disappear behind the automatically closing door, Mokuba whispered, "Older Brother..."
Walking to the exit, Hayato and the other three saw Tristan and the others also appear there. Téa and Serenity Wheeler both ran over with worried expressions. "Yugi Mutou!" "Older Brother!"
They also heard Noah's words in the lounge, and through the glass in the room, they also saw the machine guns surrounding the airship 360°. Filled with worry for those they cared about, they also came here.
"Ishizu, I remember Iso mentioning earlier that Marik and Bakura were missing, right?" Hayato first nodded and greeted Ishizu Ishtar, who had also come here, frowned, and looked at the number of people present.
According to the information that guy Noah had, this airship gathered a total of eight Top 8 Players from the Duel City Tournament. Therefore, he directly targeted the number of people to disembark as eight. However, due to the disappearance of Marik and Bakura, Hayato, Kaiba, Ishizu Ishtar, Mai Valentine, Joey Wheeler, and Yugi Mutou, the number of Duelists was only six in total.
"He specifically wants the Duelists to disembark. What exactly does that imposter want?" Kaiba also frowned after being reminded by Hayato. "He said he wants to defeat me through a Duel, but what does he want with the others?"
"Hmph, nothing but low-class tactics."
Unable to figure out the answer, Kaiba didn't continue to trouble himself, but instead threw the problem directly out of his mind and walked straight off the ship. "Whatever he plans to do, if it's Duel Monsters, then I will absolutely not lose, and I will mercilessly defeat that guy with my invincible Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
"That's so Kaiba." Yugi Mutou watched Kaiba walk off the airship, exchanged a glance with Hayato, smiled helplessly, and also walked off the airship together. As for Téa, Tristan, Otogi, and Serenity Wheeler, they remained on the airship.
As soon as they stepped off the airship, an arrow lit up on the metallic ground beneath their feet, seemingly providing guidance. The group of six followed the direction of the arrow, walking inside this dark, sunless steel fortress. After passing through a massive steel door, they arrived in an empty room.
As soon as they entered the room, Kaiba's face froze for a moment, then he let out a laugh, but his voice was quite cold.
"I thought it was some rat causing trouble. Turns out it's you five old guys with your persistent wicked intentions."
Standing in front of the group were none other than, from the previous DM online game, who were defeated when their avatar, the Five-Headed Dragon, was defeated by Dragon Master Knight and were infinitely banished to the network world, The Big Five of KaibaCorp.
Hearing Kaiba's words, The Big Five merely grinned sinisterly. "We've finally been waiting for you, Seto Kid."
"Our anger, returned from the network world,"
"Our resentment,"
"Are you ready to face our revenge?"
The fifth person was just about to say something, but after taking a closer look at the group, he questioned, "Hold on a minute, Seto Kaiba!"
"You guys, why did only six people disembark!?"