Organizing a Duel Monsters Tournament was not something new to him, and managing a massive event like the annual regionals certainly didn't faze him. Business was what he faced on a regular basis. And yet, these past two weeks were the busiest weeks of Seto Kaiba's life…which was saying something. After receiving permission from Industrial Illusions-a telecall with Pegasus that still gave him a headache-the Duel Monsters Tournament Regionals were set to take place in Kaiba Land and Seto was ready to deal with the preparations.

Or so he'd thought.

Managing the event schedule, rearranging the park's reservation window, negotiating with Domino City's Transportation Board, ordering catering, setting up security, configuring the Duel system and satellites, overseeing the duelist registration; all that and more was an avalanche of work that he'd never before experienced. Any lesser man would have balked from it, but it wasn't Seto's style to back down from any challenge, and he tackled the workload head on.

How is renting half of the city easier than my own theme park dammit?!

But that didn't mean he enjoyed it.

And so it was that he'd barely been able to work on his deck as the regionals drew ever closer. Well, not that he had needed to work on it. Seto already knew that he'd leave a long train of defeats behind him, scattering his opponents like dominoes on his way to the top. But it didn't hurt to check. No, it didn't hurt to make sure he was ready for the only one who could stand against him.

Yugi.

Despite the number of hours of sleep that he'd missed, Seto's body thrummed with energy, the same energy that had crackled through the air for the entire day of the regionals. All throughout Kaiba Land, duelists battled each other for the coveted Regional slot that would send them to the finals. Naturally, Seto had already earned his place, but the thought of facing an International Champion hadn't stopped anyone from dueling him. In fact, many relished the chance to face him, even if they were pounded into submission not five minutes later. That was the spirit of a true duelist, and he almost respected them for it.

Almost.

He stood at attention in the Executive Booth of the Duel Dome, back straight with his trademark coat billowing behind him. The crowd buzzed, the sound echoing loudly within the stadium. Down below, Yugi Muto was about to duel his final opponent for the regionals.

Seto could barely keep his hands from shaking. It felt as if every nerve in his body buzzed with anticipation as the duelists climbed the stairs to their duel consoles. He'd been keeping track of Yugi's progress, using the system to watch him as the day wore on.

And it was eerie as, just like before, just like with him, Yugi Muto had nothing but victories under his belt. It was almost as if nothing had changed…

Seeing this had left him feeling a mixture of eager excitement, and inexplicable dread. He hadn't faced Yugi yet, and at this point, he was almost glad. The loss was well worth the reward of watching.

The duel began.

It was a difficult match. Yugi's opponent was very sly, using guerilla tactics against him and quickly springing traps to avoid defeat while sending out monsters to pick at Yugi's lifepoints. He was talented, and it was obvious that he was used to his opponents crumbling.

And yet…

When Seto dueled, each and every move he made was to force his opposition into a coffin and nail them in. Brutal, effective, and aggressive, like a gunshot.

When the Other Yugi dueled, it was powerful, it was decisive, facing the opposition and ending the duel with a note of finality, like a judge's gavel closing the court.

When Yugi dueled, it was so…different.

He hadn't noticed it during that duel in the tomb, being too lost in the moment, in what was happening. He thought he knew what to expect, but once again, he was wrong. He'd never really known how Yugi dueled, had he? This duel, right here, right now, was the first time he'd ever seen it.

Yugi dueled quickly, lightly, lacking that dominant edge behind his actions that Seto knew so well. He appeared vulnerable…yet was anything but. His tactics sent him dancing around his opponent, matching him blow for blow, easily turning the tide in his favor again and again. Bouncing in between defense and attack with smooth confidence, Yugi dueled like a sword, skilled and flexible.

It was a difference that nearly took his break away. It was a difference that everyone else noticed too, both in the tactics and in the deck Yugi used. Confusion grew, but quickly morphed into a near-silent tension during the duel, swaying back and forth like a tennis match.

Then suddenly, it was over. The crowd roared, chanting Yugi's name as the duel ended and Monster's images faded away. Stepping down from the duel console, Yugi briefly waved to the audience before crossing the field to shake hands with his opponent. Seto shakily released the breath he'd been holding, watching Yugi's friends run from the stands to pounce on him, ruffling his spiky hair, and Wheeler trapping him in a playful headlock.

If he weren't so dazed, he would've rolled his eyes.

Yugi looked up, as if he knew exactly where Seto was, and in that moment, their eyes locked. Gazing down at him, Seto's mind flashed back to their conversation two weeks ago in that small café.

"Do you honestly think you could hold your own at his level?"

"Do you?"

Today, as like before, he had seen it. The real Yugi Muto. The real King of Games. And now, he had his answer to give.

A wild grin broke out across his face, gleeful and excited, sending his message to Yugi loud and clear.

I can't wait to face you in the finals!

And Yugi smiled back.

A bit short, and I'm not sure I did this chapter justice, but there you are. I may go over it again in the future to fix it up a tad.
It demanded to be written, so I think I know where I'm going with this as a multi-chapter story.
Thank you for the support!