"Nice one, a classic three-for-one trade, exchanging three monsters with decent effects for a Vanilla Monster,' Hayato ranted in his Heart, but in reality, he was quite wary of the Descent of Gate Guardian.
In the early days of Duel Monsters, because the number of Cards wasn't very large, most Cards that appeared in the Anime were adapted into Real Cards, and [Gate Guardian] was one of them. However, corresponding to its excessively high Summoning Stakes—three LV7 Monsters that require two Tributes each for a Tribute Summon—the quality of the Real Card Adaptation of [Gate Guardian] was truly underwhelming.
While its ATK and DEF were certainly top-tier, in the end, it was something that could be dealt with by just one Riryoku. Furthermore, the Effect that the Three Gate Guardians each possessed when they were independent—"When a Monster Attacks this Card, its ATK becomes 0"—was also removed, turning it into a Vanilla Monster with no Effects other than its Special Summoning conditions.
In fact, [Gate Guardian] was even worse than a Vanilla Monster; at least Normal Monsters could be Equipped with support Cards to perform unique functions, while [Gate Guardian] had no Effects and wasn't even a Normal Monster, making it quite useless. Therefore, even if someone wanted to build a Paradox Brothers Deck, there was no need to Summon [Gate Guardian], even if they had Summoned the Three Gate Guardians. For no other reason than it being too useless.
However, Hayato remembered the Effect of [Gate Guardian] in the Anime Version, which was significantly more powerful than its Real Card Adaptation.
"Gathering the full Power of the Three Gate Guardians, [Gate Guardian]'s ATK is a top-tier 3750 Points among Duel Monsters," Mei proudly introduced the "Ultimate Monster" he had Summoned to Hayato, "Not only that, [Gate Guardian] also retains the Effects of the Three Gate Guardians simultaneously. No matter what kind of Monster Attacks it, it's difficult to damage it even slightly!"
Kyuu: "Now, it's time for annihilation!"
Mei & Kyuu: "Battle Phase! [Gate Guardian], Attack that Armed Dragon LV7! Destroy it and Send it to the Graveyard!"
"Gate Guardian's Shockwave!"
Following the Brothers' simultaneous command, [Suijin] began to spew a tide of Water, the torrent transformed into a vortex under [Kazejin]'s Breath, rushing towards the Armed Dragon LV7 on Hayato's Field. If observed closely, one could also see a trace of violent current from [Sanga of the Thunder] flashing within the vortex from time to time.
Previously, due to the Effect of [Sanga of the Thunder], although Armed Dragon LV7 successfully Destroyed it, its own ATK was reduced to 0. Facing the electrified vortex attacking head-on, Armed Dragon LV7 wanted to counterattack, but as soon as it moved, electric sparks flashed on its body, paralyzing it and making it unable to move. It could only take [Gate Guardian]'s Attack head-on and was Destroyed without suspense.
[Hayato: 8000 LP → 4250 LP]
"Ugh! The Impact is much bigger than I expected." Hayato's Life Points, standing before the Duel Platform, decreased because Armed Dragon was Destroyed, and he himself also felt the Impact Effect simulated by the Virtual Projection System, but the pain it brought was much greater than he had anticipated, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Did Pegasus do something to this Duel Platform? The Impact is bigger than I thought." Witnessing the tide recede and the seabed return to calm, Hayato then flipped his Set Card on the Field. "You guys reduced my Life Points by so much in one go, that was really dangerous. I can't not replenish some."
"Activate Spell Card [Emergency Provisions]! I Send [Nightmare's Mirage] on my Field and the Set [Unexpected Dai] to the Graveyard to recover 2000 LP."
[Hayato: 4250 LP → 6250 LP]
"Hmph hmph hmph, it's useless! Recovering Life Points is just a temporary measure. If you don't defeat the [Gate Guardian] on my Field, no matter how many Life Points you recover, we can easily reduce them," Mei said proudly. "Now, my Turn ends."
[Mei: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[Gate Guardian] [ATK 3750]
Field: [Legendary City of Atlantis]
"It's my Turn. Draw a Card." He Drew a Card. Because [Nightmare's Mirage] was Sent to the Graveyard by [Emergency Provisions]' classic Combo, Hayato no longer needed to Discard his Hand, and the 4 Cards he had previously Drawn were kept.
Looking at the [Gate Guardian] on the opposite side, Hayato hesitated slightly. Although his Field was empty and he only had a few red and green Cards in his Hand, he actually had a chance to Summon a considerably powerful Monster right now; that Monster could be considered the Ace Card in his Deck.
But he wasn't entirely sure if he should Summon this Card, because even if he Summoned that Monster, he would have to wait until the next Turn to deal with the Paradox Brothers' [Gate Guardian], and there was nothing he could do this Turn for now.
That Monster's Effect was quite powerful, but its Summoning conditions were almost as harsh as [Gate Guardian]'s, and it was even slightly more difficult to Summon than [Gate Guardian]. Although it had a powerful Effect capable of turning the Duel around, relatively speaking, that Monster had no Resistance whatsoever, and could be easily dealt with by just one Raigeki Break.
What Hayato was most hesitant about now was, what if next Turn, the Monster he Summoned was dealt with by Kyuu Drawing a Divine Draw like Raigeki or similar Cards? Then all the Resources he could use would be completely exhausted, and he would completely lose the ability to resist the two Paradox Brothers.
Should he take a gamble, go all-in with all the Resources he could use to try and turn the Duel around; or should he play it safe, try to survive this Turn, and fight back only when he was fully prepared?
Hayato pondered deeply.
He had never been an impulsive person. Although he occasionally did some Reckless things, he had never been in a situation where he gambled everything and cut off his future. He always left himself a way out, no matter what.
In that case, it's better to play it safe...
Thinking this, Hayato, however, opened his mouth and said: "Paradox Brothers, as a reward for your Duel, where you put in your entire Heart and soul with high dedication,"
"I will Summon the ultimate Ace Monster in my Deck, the culmination of Armed Dragon's Evolution, as my response to you!"
"What! Could it be that you're going to Summon that [Armed Dragon LV10]?" Mei said somewhat uncertainly. "But even if you Summoned [Armed Dragon LV10], whose body has Evolved to its peak, the difference in ATK between it and LV7 is only 200 Points, it's completely incomparable to [Gate Guardian]'s 3750 ATK!"
"Who told you that the only possibility beyond Armed Dragon LV7 is LV10, whose body has Evolved to its peak?" Hayato said with a smile. "Let me say it again, my Evolution is faster than Light, my speed is unmatched in the entire universe!"
What kind of Duelist hesitates and avoids Battle passively?
Just a mere [Gate Guardian]? I'll show you me taking it down!
Monsters with Level 11 are few and far between, there are only 27 in total, among which the most famous are [Gate Guardian], [Yubel - The Ultimate Nightmare], [Shooting Quasar Dragon], and the universally loved Meteor.
(End of Chapter)