Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V - Episode 030

"The Tested Steadfast Heart" is the thirtieth episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime. It first aired in Japan on November 2, 2014.

Summary
Gong remembers his encounter with Gen Ankokuji in his childhood, thinking that his former senior disciple is his opponent as he sits with steaming riceballs on his shoulders. Not only did Ankokuji humiliate Yuya, but he dissented against the teachings of the Gongenzaka Dojo and left disgracefully. He gets fired up, claiming that he cannot lose this match. His father throws open the Dojo doors, proudly declaring that that's what he wants to hear. Holding out a black sash to Gong, his father tells him that as he tightens this new sash, Strapping the sash on in place of his white one, Gong replies that he understands.

Yuya sits outside, thinking that after yesterday, it's finally his turn. Gong, him, and Sora will all fight today, and they'll win no matter what, he says out loud. A bald boy crashes into him, yelling at him to look out and dropping a white sash, protesting that it's Gong's for the match today. Yuya recognizes the sash, but a pink-haired boy with a Mohawk snatches up the sash and takes off. Yuya and the bald boy run after him. Ally and Futoshi urge everyone else to hurry up, snce Gong's match is starting soon. Yuzu looks around in confusion, since Yuya had promised to meet them there, and Tatsuya gasps, pointing to see Yuya sprinting off, as Sora observes. As he pursues the thief, Yuya wonders why he's stealing Gong's sash. The bald boy explains that the thief's probably one of Ankokuji's friends, who will resort to any means to win. Yuya grits his teeth in anger, and the boy asks if Yuya has a match soon. Yuya replies that he can't let that stop him. Gong comes first. The bald boy smiles upon hearing that.

In the arena, Nico Smiley welcomes the audience to the second day of the tournament, and he introduces the competitors. While he doesn't belong to any known school, this Duelist qualified for the Junior Youth Championship with a six-win streak: Gen Ankokuji, who stomps into the arena and grins. His opponent is the successor to the Steadfast Dueling style of the Gongenzaka Dojo, Gong. Gong stands with his back to Ankokuji, baring his sash, which Ankokuji compliments, asking if Gong's father gave it to him. Gong reminds him that the master of the Dojo always gives them a new sash before a pivotal match, and that is the tradition of the Gongenzaka Dojo. Snickering, Ankokuji states that he's taken advantage of that tradition, and Gong raises his eyebrow in surprise. Nico suggests that they select the Action Field, and it's chosen as "Solitary Island in a Faraway Sea" An island covering in dense forest appears, with Gong and Ankokuji standing in a clearing. Ankokuji remarks that the dense forest is quite the coincidence, since he's sure that Gong's friend is in a dense forest right now. Gong asks what Ankokuji said, turning around in shock.

Yuya and the bald boy reach a clearing, and the thief and two other boys step out of the trees. Yuya is shocked at being ambushed, and even more when the bald boy abandons him, calling him an idiot for falling for it. The thief tells Yuya that he'll be keeping them company for a little while, and Yuya grits his teeth.

Gong furiously and rudely yells at Ankokuji; how could he do something so underhanded. Ankokuji laughs, asking Gong what happened to his. He comments that that's all his so-called steadfast spirit is worth, and sneers that he wonders if Yuya is all right. He suggests that Gong hurry up and defeat him, unless he's going to spout nonsense about Yuya being more important than him and surrender the match now. In the stands, Yuzu irritably phones Yuya to see where he's run off too, and she contacts him as he stands with his Duel Disk activated. Yuya tells Yuzu to tell Gong that Yuya will get Gong's sash back. Yuzu is quite confused as Yuya hangs up. Down in the stadium, Gong declares that upon the honour of his Dojo, he cannot surrender without a fight. Ankokuji tells him to struggle uselessly all he wants, and they kick out at one another, sparring as Gong chants, "Duelists locked in battle!" Blocking Gong's strike, Ankokuji yells, "Kicking against the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters! They storm through this field!" THe Duelists push against one another, as Gong yells, "Behold! This is the newest..." and "Ankokuji" "...and greatest evolution of Dueling!" They both yell "ACTION!" and they, Yuya, and Ankokuji's friends all yell, "DUEL!"

The Action Cards scatter and Ankokuji takes the first turn. He Summons "Battleguard 3" and activates its effect; since it was Normal Summoned he can Special Summon "Battleguard 4" from his hand. Setting a card, Ankokuji ends his turn, telling Gong to come at him, as it's his turn. Retorting that he was already planning to beat Ankokuji with one attack, Gong draws explosively. Since his opponent controls two or more monsters, he can Special Summon "Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji" fro his hand. "Big Waraji" can be treated as two Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a Machine-Type monster, so he Tributes it to Tribute Summon "Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei" in Defense Position. As "Big Benkei" appears from a column of green light, Nico explains to the audience that "Big Benkei" can be Summoned in face-up Defense Position, while Tatsuya excitedly recalls that "Big Benkei" can attack with its 3500 DEF. Futoshi gets his shivers, and Sora points out that Gong won't be ending it in one attack though.

Featured Duel: Gong vs. Gen Ankokuji
At the start of the Duel, the Field Spell Card "Solitary Island in a Faraway Sea" is activated, as per the rules of an Action Duel. It will allow the players to use Action Cards, but they may only have one in their hand at a time.

Turn 1: Ankokuji

Ankokuji Normal Summons. As it was Normal Summoned, its effect activates, letting Ankokuji Special Summon from his hand in Attack Position. Ankokuji Sets a card.

Turn 2: Gong

As his opponent controls two or more monsters, Gong Special Summons from his hand via its own effect. Its effect allows it to be treated as two Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a Machine-Type monster, so he Tributes it to Tribute Summon, whose own effect allows it to be Tribute Summoned in Defense Position. As he has no Spell/Trap Cards in his Graveyard, Gong Special Summons from his hand via its own effect by sending a "Superheavy Samurai" monster from his hand to the Graveyard. He sends "Superheavy Samurai Gigagloves" to Special Summon "Trumpeter" in Defense Position. As he controls a "Battleguard" monster and his opponent controls two or more monsters, Ankokuji activates his face-down "Battleguard's Curse", which allows him to take control of one of his opponent's monsters. He takes control of "Trumpeter". "Big Benkei" may attack while it is in Defense Position, with its DEF being applied for damage calculation instead of its ATK. "Big Benkei" attacks "Battleguard #3", but Ankokuji activates the effect of "Battleguard #4", letting him negate the attack of an opponent's monster against a "Battleguard" monster once per turn.

Turn 3: Ankokuji

Ankokuji draws from his hand via its own effect by Tributing three monsters he controls, at least one of which must be a "Battleguard" monster. He Tributes "Battleguard #3", "Battleguard #4" and "Trumpeter" to Special Summon it Attack Position. He then activates its effect, letting him gain control of an opponent's monster. While he controls a monster via this effect, "Mad Shaman" cannot be targeted for attacks. He takes control of "Big Benkei". "Big Benkei" attacks directly (Gong 4000 → 500). "Mad Shaman" attacks directly, but Gong activates the effect of the "Gigagloves" in his Graveyard, banishing it to target the attacking monster, draw a card and reveal it. If it is a "Superheavy Samurai" monster, the attacking monster's ATK becomes 0. Gong draws "Superheavy Samurai Soulbuster Gauntlet" ("Mad Shaman" 2000/??? → 0/???).

Turn 4: Gong

Gong draws. He then activates its effect, which allows him to use a Machine-Type monster his opponent controls as a Synchro Material for a Synchro Summon. He then tunes the Level 2 Tuner monster "Battleball" with the Level 8 "Big Benkei" to Synchro Summon the Level 10 in Defense Position. The effect of "Susanowo" treats it as a "Superheavy Samurai" monster, so Gong equips it with "Soulbuster Gauntlet" via that card's effect to increase its DEF by 400 ("Susanowo" 2400/3800 → 2400/4200). "Susanowo" may attack while its in Defense Positon, with its DEF being applied for damage calculation instead of its ATK. "Susanowo" attacks and destroys "Mad Shaman" (Ankokuji 4000 → 0).

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

Errors

 * When Gong Synchro Summons "Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo", instead of showing its DEF, it shows its ATK as 3800.