Chapter One: I Am Sworn Enemies with Gambling and Drugs

The next day arrived, yet Yugi, Hayato, and Kaiba were nowhere to be found at school.

"Hey, Anzu, do you know where they went?" During the break, Jonouchi leaned over to Anzu, who was busy touching up her makeup in a mirror. "And why on earth are you wearing makeup today? Going on a blind date or something?"

"Do you think I'm like you boys? Haaah..." Before she could finish, Anzu let out a yawn that was anything but ladylike, which proved so contagious that Jonouchi couldn't help but yawn right along with her. "You and Honda weren't there last night. Something huge happened."

"Don't tell me Yugi ran into some tall, blonde bombshell on his way home and fell in love at first sight?" Honda joked, but he quickly fell silent, waiting for Anzu to recount the events of the previous evening.

Upon hearing that Kaiba had forcibly taken Grandpa Sugoroku away, both boys were outraged. "Dammit! How dare he treat Grandpa like that? I’m going to make that bastard Kaiba pay!"

"You might not get the chance," Anzu said, glaring at Jonouchi, whose outburst had interrupted her. "Remember that virtual reality system Manjoume used last time? Kaiba Corp has a complete version at the top of their tower. It doesn't just perfect the sound simulation; it even replicates the physical impact of attacks."

"Yugi summoned an invincible monster called 'Exodia' yesterday. It had infinite attack power and literally drove that bastard Kaiba to a mental breakdown." She paused before continuing, "However, during the duel, Kaiba summoned 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon,' which dropped Yugi’s life points down to just 50 at one point. Yugi was completely exhausted the moment the duel ended last night."

"As for Hayato, he’s the one who relayed all these details to me, knowing you’d be curious. He brought Yugi out of the Kaiba building and spent the entire night at the hospital taking care of Grandpa Sugoroku. He only closed his eyes after Yugi woke up this morning, which is why he took a sick day."

"Those two idiots, Yugi and Hayato! They didn't even tell us about something this major. Not only did we make a wasted trip to the Kame Game Shop yesterday, but we're only finding out about this now!" Jonouchi sounded furious, but the concern for his friends was evident in his eyes.

Honda nodded in agreement. "Exactly. They don't treat us like brothers. Friends are supposed to share their problems. Let's go visit them this afternoon."

"Sure, no problem," Anzu agreed readily, though Honda suddenly looked awkward.

"Wait a minute, Honda, don't tell me you don't want to go?"

"It’s not that. It’s just... there’s something else, and I don't know if I should say it," Honda said, scratching his head hesitantly. "I didn't give away that box of puzzles yesterday."

"Weren't you supposed to drop off the gift when the classroom was empty after school?"

"Well, it felt a bit awkward rummaging through a girl's desk..."

***

Jonouchi and the others first stopped by the Domino City Hospital to check on Grandpa Sugoroku. Although he had been frightened into unconsciousness the night before, Sugoroku—as a player of "Exodia"—had luck on his side. Thanks to the skill of Manjoume's driver, he had been rushed to the hospital in time and had already regained consciousness by last night. However, considering his heart condition was no small matter, the doctor advised him to stay for observation.

"Thank you all for coming to see me, everyone," Yugi said, deeply moved as he bowed to his friends.

"Don't think you can get off the hook just by saying thanks, Yugi." Seeing Yugi so earnest, Jonouchi stepped forward and locked Yugi’s head in a headlock with his forearm. "You didn't tell us about such a huge deal! If this happens again, I'm going to teach you a lesson."

"Haha, you kids really do have a great friendship," Grandpa Sugoroku said, sitting in his hospital bed while eating an apple Anzu had peeled for him. He watched them with a pleased smile.

"Oh, right, Grandpa. Yugi told me you used to be quite a formidable duelist. Is that true?" Jonouchi asked, releasing Yugi.

Muto Sugoroku looked nostalgic. "Of course! I was a top-tier duelist back in my day. If you want to be my apprentice, I suppose I could teach you a trick or two."

"Really?" Jonouchi looked excited. "Then you'd better get well soon and teach me how to duel!"

***

After staying a while longer, the group decided to leave so as not to disturb Sugoroku’s rest. Next, they planned to check on Hayato.

Although Yugi wanted to go, he felt he should stay to look after his grandfather. However, Sugoroku thumped his chest to show he was feeling fine and shooed Yugi out of the room, telling him to go visit Hayato, who had stayed by his side all night.

Anzu had obtained Hayato’s address from a teacher. Since Yugi hadn't been at school, and the teachers would only suspect Jonouchi or Honda of wanting to settle a score, only Anzu—known for being well-behaved and a good student—could get the address under the guise of "dropping off the day's class notes."

"I never imagined Hayato lived in such a fancy place!" Looking up from the slope, Jonouchi saw a large residential area at the top of the hill where Hayato’s home was located.

Honda surveyed the surroundings. "It’s not exactly a gated villa district for the super-rich, but because the facilities are great, the transportation is convenient, and you get a clear view of the ocean, a lot of wealthy and influential people actually prefer living here."

Walking up the slope, they soon found a two-story house with a wooden plaque next to the gate reading "Kobayashi."

*Ding-dong!*

Before they could even identify themselves, Hayato’s voice rang out from the intercom:

"I didn't order delivery, I don't need online shopping, the utilities are paid for the year, the house isn't connected to the natural gas grid, and I am absolutely not going to get involved in gambling or drugs!"