Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V - Episode 040

"Stealth Warriors", known as "The Warriors of Academia" in the Japanese version, is the fortieth episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime. It first aired in Japan on January 25, 2015 and will air in Australia on January 3, 2016.

Summary
Yuya declares battle, attacking "Idaten, the Conqueror Star" with "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's" "Mauling Mandible Charge", destroying it and abruptly reducing Iggy Arlo's LP to zero. In the darkened stadium, Nico Smiley shakily announces Yuya as the winner, Skip weakly congratulates Yuya, but the kids are terrified, since Yuya seemed like a different person. Yuya runs over to Iggy, offering him a hand up and asking if he's all right, but Iggy flinches and slaps Yuya's hand away. Looking up at Zuzu's nervous face, Yuya wonders what this feeling is.

In the observation room, Shay observes that Yuya has Yuto's card, and he heads off to meet him. Declan warns him not to impede on the progress of the tournament, reminding him not to forget why Declan is holding the tournament, and Shay scoffs and exits the room. Claude offers to have Shay put under surveillance, but their attention is caught by Nico, announcing that due to Dipper's absence, his second round match against Reed Pepper will go to Reed by default. Declan is surprised, and one of the technicians explains that around three hours ago, they detected a powerful Summoning energy in the city, a Fusion signature. He asks Declan to look at what the cameras they found recorded, and the screen shows the mysterious girl advancing on Dipper, who Claude recognizes. Holding up her Duel Disk, the girl causes a crimson light to emit from it, and when it fades, Dipper is gone. The girl picks up a card and waves it, then turns and leaves. Declan orders the tape to be rewound and enhanced, and upon seeing her face, which resembles Zuzu's, Claude gasps that it's Zuzu.

In the LID Center Court on the seventh day of the tournament, the results showing Olga's win against Haruno Mihara fade away as Nico announces the next match; You Show Duel School's Zuzu Boyle vs. Duel Girls Club's Micky Starlett. Zuzu enters the arena confidently, as her father, Gong and the kids cheer her on, while Yuya remains quiet and depressed. Zuzu waves to them, though she is discouraged by Yuya's expression. The crowd soon begin to cheer for Micky, who tells her fellow club members that now it's Duel Time, and to be sure to display their greatest self, and the greatest smile, putting their hands together and cheering, "Duel Girl's Club, Go!" Lights snap on as the members of the club skate into the arena, with Micky emerging last. Micky greets her fans, thanking them for coming today, and tells them that she'll Special Summon their hearts today. Zuzu looks around at the cheering crowd, having expected the Idol Duelist to effortlessly get her fans to cheer her on, but Zuzu is the poster girl of You Show Duel School, and will show them real Entertainment Dueling.

Meanwhile, Zuzu's Duel in the Second Stadium is being monitored by Declan's technicians, while the mysterious girl is in Paradise First Stadium. Declan muses that there's no mistaking her; that is definitely the girl from yesterday. Claude explains that the currently scheduled Senior match involves Yuu Sakuragi, the previous Junior Youth champion, and Declan realizes that the girl's target is Yuu. He get up from his chair, and explains that he's going to Paradise Stadium, warning them not to let Shay go there.

In Zuzu and Micky's Duel, Micky's "Gellenduo", powered up by two "Freya, Spirit of Victory", attacks and destroys "Canon the Melodious Diva", reducing Zuzu to 2900 LP. Nico comments that both Duelists are even in skill, and Micky agrees, but with the crowd's support, she has the strength of a hundred on her side. She waves to the crowd, telling them to enjoy every second of the Duel. Zuzu scoffs, remarking that she'll give everyone the best Duel that they can enjoy. Her father tells her to stay calm and burn on, as he'll transfer her the hot-blooded power of a hundred himself, while Gong explains that this man will cheer with the power of a hundred men. With the both of them, Zuzu will have the strength of two hundred, and the kids cheer, "Yay!" in the background. Yuya follows up with a half-hearted "yay..." and he looks at the "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon" card, recalling the attack on Iggy and wondering why it happened.

At the main stadium, the announcer explains that Yuu Xyz Summoned "Hierophant of Prophecy", and used it to finish his match today. Yuu himself enters a back area of the stadium, and he sees the mysterious girl and her companion walking towards him. He asks if she's the one who called him here, but the girl doesn't reply, ripping off her concealing overcoat and throwing out her arm in a challenge. Yuu seems intimidated, but Declan intervenes, explaining that he was the one who called Yuu here. He apologizes to Yuu and asks him to leave, congratulating Yuu on a splendid Duel and telling Yuu that he expects more from him in the future. Yuu turns to leave and the mysterious girl protests, but Declan swiftly grabs her arm, adorned with a similar bracelet to Zuzu's, and he orders Yuu to leave. Yuu quickly flees, and the girl wrenches her arm free, telling Declan that if he's going to get in her way, then she'll take him out first. Her companion asks her to leave that to him, shedding his own overcoat. The girl tells Barrett to stay out of this, and Barrett replies that he cannot; the duty given to him by the Professor is to protect the girl from any sparks that may fall upon her. Scowling, the girl begins to walk away, but stops short when Declan asks if the Professor is Leo Akaba. Neither foe answers, Barrett strapping on a shield-like Duel Disk and activating its sword-shaped blade. Declan straps on his own Duel Disk, and orders the area to be sealed off, and not to let anyone in unless Declan tells them otherwise. He activates his Duel Disk, and the girl sits on the side.

Both Duelists yell, "DUEL!" and Barrett takes the first turn for the advantage, activating the Continuous Spell Card "Beastborg Polymerizer", which allows him to Fusion Summon a "Beastborg" monster once per turn, as Declan expected. Barrett fuses "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel" and chants, "Ferocious black panther and guardian of sacred darkness, merge as one and let forth your valiant roar! Fusion Summon! Appear and come forth, Beastborg Panther Predator!" In the control room, the technicians detect a Summoning level that is almost equivalent to that the measurement recorded yesterday. Barrett activates the effect of "Panther Predator", inflicting half of its ATK to Declan, and "Panther Predator" blasts a red beam at Declan, who blocks the beam with his Duel Disk as his LP falls to 800. Barrett Sets two cards and ends his turn, the girl remarking that Barrett is already steadily wearing down his opponent's LP in a by-the-books strategy. Claude contacts Declan, confirming that Declan's opponents are Duelists from the Fusion Dimension. Declan replies that he knows.

Declaring his turn, Declan draws "D/D Lilith". He activates his own Continuous Spell Card, "Dark Contract with the Swamp King", which will inflict 1000 damage to him during his Standby Phase. Barrett is intrigued by the prospect of Declan damaging himself, and Declan explains that in exchange, once per turn, he is allowing to Fusion Summon a Fiend-Type Fusion Monster. He holds up the cards, declaring that he's fusing "D/D Cerberus" and "D/D Lilith". The mysterious girl reacts in shock at the sight of the "Cerberus" card, and Declan chants, "Hellhound that bares its fangs, vamp of the dark night! In whirlpool of light from the realm of the dead, become one and give birth to a new king. Fusion Summon! Be born! D/D/D Flame King Genghis!" He declares his Battle Phase and attacks "Panther Predator" with "Genghis", declaring "Fire Stroke". Flames envelop the greatsword of "Genghis and it slashes through "Panther Predator". Barrett falls to 3600 LP, but had already activated a Continuous Trap Card, "Beast-borg Medal of the Iron Shield", which gains a Medal Counter for every 100 Battle Damage that he took. Four medals materialize on the shield that appears, and Barrett adds that in addition, when "Panther Predator" is destroyed, he can Special Summon its Fusion Materials from his Graveyard. "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel" emerge from the Graveyard portal. Musing that Barrett had already planned for his monster's destruction, Declan ends his turn.

Adjusting his glasses, Declan comments that Barrett is unafraid of the risks needed to be taken for victory, and he seems to have an abundance of combat experience. Barrett is silent, remembering an incident in Heartland where he led three of his fellows into a "Widespread Ruin" trap, an incident implied to have caused the loss of his left eye. He then recalls meeting the mysterious girl in the corridors of Duel Academy, the girl having claimed that she would go to the Standard Dimension even if Barrett tried to stop her. Barrett replied that he would not stop the girl, but go with her, much to the girl's surprise, as all the other guards had tried to stop her. Back in the present, Barrett thinks that he knew the risks, but if he is to return to the battlefield, he must produce sufficient results. He declares his turn and draws, then activates the effect of "Beastborg Polymerizer" once again, fusing "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel". He tells "Panther Predator" to appear and come forth once more. Barrett then activates the other effect of "Beast-borg Medal of the Iron Shield", sending it to the Graveyard to increase the ATK of a "Beastborg" monster by 100 times the number of "Medal Counters" that "Iron Shield" had. "Panther Predator" rises to 2000 ATK, much to the watching Claude's shock. Barrett activates another Continuous Trap Card, "Beast-borg Medal of the White Sword", which gains a "Medal Counter" for every 100 damage he deals to Declan. Declan observes that Barrett has quite a liking for war medals. Barrett replies that he is a warrior, and the number of medals he has is proof of his honor. Barrett activates the effect of "Panther Predator" to inflict half of its ATK to Declan, and this time, Declan takes 1000 damage, reducing him to 2200 as he blocks the beam again. "White Sword" gains ten "Medal Counters", and Barrett then sends "White Sword" to the Graveyard to activate its effect, increasing the ATK of a "Beastborg" monster he controls by 100 for each "Medal Counter" that "White Sword" had. "Panther Predator" rises to 3000 ATK, much to Claude's horror, and Barrett declares battle, attacking "Genghis" with "Panther Predator". "Panther Predator" severs one of the barbs of "Genghis" and snaps its sword with "Industrial Savage", reducing Declan to 1200 LP. Declan thinks that as he expected, Barrett has an abundance of combat experience. Setting a card, Barrett ends his turn, commenting that on his next turn, Declan will take 1000 damage due to his "Dark Contract with the Swamp King", correct? Declan confirms this.

With only the slightest hesitation, Declan draws, and he takes 1000 damage due to the effect of "Dark Contract with the Swamp King". He groans in pain as both the card and his heart glow purple, and he falls to 200 LP. Barrett declares that Declan has earned his respect, and Declan deserves a medal of honor as well. Declan retorts that he does not need such things, but this damage has sealed Barrett's fate. Barrett looks surprised as Declan steps forward, "D/D Savant Galilei" and "D/D Savant Kepler" reflected in his glasses. He Sets the Pendulum Scale with "Galilei" and "Kepler", allowing him to simultaneously Summon monsters from Levels 2 to 9, and he chants, "Grand power that shakes my very soul, arise within me and give birth to a new light that renders the darkness. Pendulum Summon! Come before me, my monsters!" Two purple streaks appear from the Summoning portal as Declan calls, "Prideful knight, D/D Proud Chevalier! Vessel of disaster, D/D Pandora!" Barrett is shocked to see the Summon, and Declan declares that there is still more, overlaying the Level 5 "Proud Chevalier" and "Pandora". He chants, "Hero of legends, pierce through all things with your profound justice! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 5, D/D/D Marksman King Tell!" The Pendulum-Xyz Summon shocks Barrett even more.

Declan activates the effect of "Tell." By using one Overlay Unit in a turn where he took damage from a "Dark Contract" card, he can reduce the ATK of one of Barrett's monsters by 1000 and inflicting 1000 damage to Barrett. Barrett realizes that this is why Declan took that damage. "Tell" absorbs one of its Overlay Units into its wrist-mounted crossbow and fires twin lightning arrows as Declan declares, "Piercing Arrow!", the first one hitting "Panther Predator" in the knee, reducing it to 2000 ATK, and the second exploding in front of Barrett, blasting him backwards and reducing him to 2600 LP. Barrett manages to push himself off the ground and flip upright. Declan uses the other Overlay Unit, and "Tell" fires its "Piercing Arrows" again, hitting "Panther Predator" in the chest, reducing it to 1000 ATK, and Barrett is hit in the shoulder. Barrett yanks the arrow out and crushes it as his LP falls to 1600. Declan tells them that he's not done yet, and he activates the second effect of "Dark Contract with the Swamp King"; he can banish Fusion Materials from his Graveyard to Fusion Summon a "D/D" Fusion Monster, much to Barrett's shock. Banishing "Proud Chevalier" and "Pandora", he chants, "Proud knight, be absorbed into the crucible of disaster! Be reborn into a new king! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Ruler who carries the glory of God! D/D/D Oracle King d'Arc!" Declaring his Battle Phase, Declan attacks with "d'Arc". Barrett refuses to fall that easily, and he activates a Trap Card, "Beast-borg Medal of Honor." It destroys "Panther Predator" and Special Summons its Fusion Material Monsters from the Graveyard, then inflicts their total ATK to both players as damage. Power flows from the resurrected "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel", exploding above them as Barrett vows to take Declan out with him with the 3500 points of damage. Declan adjusts his glasses and tells Barrett that he won't let him, activating the effect of "d'Arc", negating the effect damage and gaining LP equal to the damage that was negated. "d'Arc" collects the energy in her claw, and Declan gains 7000 LP, rising to 7200 LP. Barrett protests that it's impossible, and Declan orders "d'Arc" to resume battle with "Oracle Charge", destroying "Panther Warrior" and dropping Barrett's LP to 800. Declaring the finishing blow, Declan has "Tell" attack "Dark Sentinel" with "Forbidden Break Shot". "Tell" fires, and the arrow vanishes before it strikes, to "Barrett's" surprise. The attack hits home, and it blasts Barrett across the ground, reducing his LP to zero. The mysterious girl looks defiantly at Declan.

Mirroring her defiance, Zuzu has 100 LP to Micky's 1000, and only "Soprano the Melodious Songstress" on her field opposing Micky's "Wingweaver". Nico explains that it's been a truly heated match up until now, but Micky has taken the lead. With no cards in her hand, Zuzu prepares to draw, thinking that being able to enjoy situations like this is Entertainment Dueling. She draws dramatically, getting "Crystal Rose" and Summoning it. She uses its effect to treat it as "Mozarta the Melodious Maestra", and the light surrounding "Crystal Rose" refracts into an image of "Mozarta". Yuya looks around the stand as he sees everyone cheering Zuzu's move, remembering Yuto's final words. Zuzu uses the effect of "Soprano" to fuse "Crystal Rose" and "Soprano", chanting, "Angel's song! Supreme genius! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Now come here to the stage! Sing the song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir!" Yuya muses "Give everyone smiles," and he wonders to himself what he's doing, reminding himself that this is Dueling. Zuzu attacks with "Bloom Diva", using her effect to prevent her destruction in battle and inflict the battle damage to Micky that Zuzu would have taken. "Bloom Diva's" "Reflect Shout" destroys "Wingweaver" and Micky is blasted backwards as her LP falls to zero. Nico declares that they have a winner, You Show Duel School's Zuzu Boyle, and that it truly was an amazing Duel. Zuzu winks at the crowd and looks up at Yuya, who laughs happily.

Back in the back area, the mysterious girl gets up and begins to walk off, but Declan tells Celina to wait, and Celina turns back to look at him.

Zuzu Boyle vs. Micky Starlett
Duel already in progress. Zuzu controls, while Micky controls and two copies of  and both players have 4000 LP remaining.

Micky's turn "Gellenduo" attacks and destroys "Canon" (Zuzu: 4000 → 2900 LP).

Several turns are skipped. Zuzu controls and has 100 LP remaining, while Micky controls  and has 1000 LP remaining.

Zuzu's turn Zuzu draws. She activates the effect of "Soprano", allowing her to conduct a Fusion Summon using "Soprano" and other monsters from her field and hand. She fuses "Soprano" with "Crystal Rose", treating the latter card as "Mozarta the Melodious Maestra" to Fusion Summon in Attack Position. "Bloom Diva" attacks "Wingweaver", with the effect of "Bloom Diva" activating as it is battling a Special Summoned monster, causing the opponent to take the battle damage from that battle and destroying the monster it battles at the end of the Damage Step. "Wingweaver" is destroyed (Micky: 1000 → 0 LP).

Declan Akaba vs. Barrett


Turn 1: Barrett Barrett activates the Continuous Spell Card "Beastborg Polymerizer", which lets him Fusion Summon a "Beastborg" Fusion Monster once per turn, using monsters from his hand or that he controls, however, he may not Normal Summon/Set. He activates its effect, fusing "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel" from his hand to Fusion Summon in Attack Position. Barrett activates its effect, inflicting damage to Declan equal to half of its current ATK (Declan: 4000 → 3200 LP). He Sets 2 cards.

Turn 2: Declan Declan draws "D/D Lilith". He then activates the Continuous Spell Card "Dark Contract with the Swamp King", which lets him Fusion Summon a Fiend-Type Fusion Monster once per turn using monsters in his hand or that he controls; however, he will take 1000 damage during each of his Standby Phases. Declan activates its effect, fusing "D/D Cerberus" and "Lilith" from his hand to Fusion Summon in Attack Position. "Genghis" attacks and destroys "Panther Predator" (Barrett: 4000 → 3600 LP). Barrett activates his face-down Continuous Trap Card "Beast-borg Medal of the Iron Shield". Once per turn, when he takes battle damage, he can place 1 Medal Counter on it for every 100 damage he took ("Iron Shield": 0 → 4 Medal Counters). He also activates the effect of "Panther Predator"; since it was destroyed by battle, he can Special Summon the Fusion Material Monsters from his Graveyard, so he Special Summons and, both in Attack Position.

Turn 3: Barrett Barrett activates the effect of "Beastborg Polymerizer", fusing "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel" from his field to Fusion Summon another in Attack Position. He activates the effect of "Medal of the Iron Shield", sending it to the Graveyard to have a face-up "Beastborg" monster he controls gain 100 ATK for each "Medal Counter" on it. Barrett chooses "Panther Predator" ("Panther Predator": 1600 → 2000/2000). He also activates his face-down "Beast-borg Medal of the White Sword". Once per turn, when he inflicts damage to Declan, Barrett can place a Medal Counter on it for every 100 damage. Barrett then activates the effect of "Panther Predator", inflicting damage to Declan equal to half of its current ATK (Declan: 3200 → 2200 LP) ("White Sword": 0 → 10 Medal Counters). Barrett activates the effect of "White Sword", sending it to the Graveyard to have a "Beastborg" monster gain 100 ATK for each Medal Counter that was on "White Sword". He chooses "Panther Predator" ("Panther Predator": 2000 → 3000/2000). "Panther Predator" attacks and destroys "Genghis" (Declan: 2200 → 1200 LP). Barrett Sets 1 card.

Turn 4: Declan During his Standby Phase, the effect of "Dark Contract with the Swamp King" activates, inflicting 1000 damage to Declan (Declan: 1200 → 200 LP). Declan places and  in his Pendulum Zones. He Pendulum Summons and, both from his hand in Attack Position. Declan overlays his two Level 5 monsters to Xyz Summon. He activates its effect twice, detaching an Overlay Unit to reduce the ATK of a monster Barrett controls by 1000 and inflict 1000 damage to him ("Panther Predator": 3000 → 2000 → 1000/2000, Barrett: 3600 → 2600 → 1600 LP). Declan then activates the effect of "Covenant with the Swamp King", which lets him banish monsters from his Graveyard if he would Fusion Summon a "D/D" monster. He banishes "Proud Chevalier" and "Pandora" to Fusion Summon. He attacks "Panther Predator" with "d'Arc", but Barrett activates his face-down "Beast-borg Medal of Honor". When a "Beastborg" Fusion Monster he controls is targeted for an attack, he can destroy it and Special Summon all Fusion Material Monsters from his Graveyard, and if he does, both players take damage equal to their combined ATK. The sum of the ATK of "Panther Warrior" and "Dark Sentinel" is 3500. However, Declan activates the effect of "d'Arc", which lets him make the effect damage a player(s) would take 0 and gain LP equal to the same amount. As the damage would be inflicted to both players, Declan gains twice that amount (Declan: 200 → 7200 LP). A replay occurs, and "d'Arc" attacks and destroys "Panther Warrior" (Barrett: 1600 → 800 LP). "Tell" attacks and destroys "Dark Sentinel" (Barrett: 800 → 0 LP).

Featured cards
The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.

Errors
When Barrett activates "Beast-borg Medal of the Iron Shield", a card can be seen in his hand when he should have have none. Later shots correctly show him with no hand.

In the dub, Declan says he's setting the Pendulum Scale with 1 and 11 but the monsters he shows and plays have scales 1 and 10 respectively.