*Kouyou is... you know what, you guys probably get the gist of things by now. Kouyou, somewhere, doesn't matter where, he can be talked to. Period. BOTHER HIM WHEREVER YOU LIKE, ABOUT WHATEVER.*

... that can't be true...

Juudai, when you see this, please respond.

... why did they drag us to another opera?

"Former World Champion vs. Rising American Star"?

Why was I just now told about this?!

*It's been all over the news by now, so you people have probably heard. Hibiki Kouyou, the famous Pro League champion, who came back from a coma by a miracle, suffered a relapse of his heart disease yesterday, and is now resting in a hospital.

Those of you who should know him, he'd like to see you.*

*In the middle of Domino City, the fog that the Duel Monsters live in is back. Those of you who are adventurous will head in to kill it. Those of who are smart and know it will run away.

For those of you who head in, or are otherwise inside it... Kouyou Hibiki, the famous World Champion, is currently running away, as well, under attack from a Shadowknight Demon... Just when it looks like he's finally managed to outrun him, he trips and goes down. He can't get away in time.

He's defenseless against a rather powerful monster. What will you do?*

I haven't been able to post much lately, have I? I'm not much good with paperwork, that's been consuming my time...

Well... This was a bad way to end the year, wasn't it? I'm still working as a counselor, so if anyone needs to talk, I'm open.

Well, that wasn't as hard as I was expecting.

Juudai, can I talk to you?

With all the stress that's been going around, I figure now's a good time for people to start remembering their good times, and pull out their happiest old memories... So! I've got questions for you all!

How did you all start dueling? Way back in the beginning... What was your first card? Back in the beginning, most people start out with ordinary, everyday cards, but those cards stay with you the longest... What card has fought alongside you the longest, and shared all your good times and bad times, with happiness, sadness, joy and anger? What card is the most important to you, and important partner? Why did you take up the game? What prompted your love for dueling?

Well, it's just my rambling, I guess... But I'm curious, and everyone could use some happy memories now, I think.

... Things seem so wrong recently. I don't understand it.

Hm... An honor dorm is well and good, but by only letting in Blues, they're missing out on some great talent.

Happy New Years, everyone!

Juudai, you'll have to come by for your present. It's for both you and Hane Kuriboh, okay?

...

Why are there comic book characters here?

... So that lead was no good either.

Sorry I haven't been around, everyone. I had to go off the island back to Tokyo to see my sister about something... It's kind of a long story. But I'm back now. Did I miss anything important?

Well, I'm not very good at these things, but...

I'm also looking to recruit for the Pro Leagues! It's not easy, but if you have the talent, or the desire to improve, then you're welcome to come over and find me! I'll do everything I can to help out!

As a pro, you can expect to do a lot of things... Some write papers, some sign on with I2 for promotional deals, and some just go around to tournaments and live off the winnings. There's as many things for pros to do as there are pros, really!

So if you love dueling and want to make a living out of it, you should come see me, and I'll see what I can do!

Well, I've talked to my Pro League higher-ups, and they agreed it was okay. So now I'm also working as an assistant to the Doctor as the counselor. If any students need to talk, I'm almost always available!

... I can honestly say I've never seen a duel quite like that before. Not even in the Pro Leagues! I'm amazed.

...

Saruyama.