Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL - Rank 031

"Absolutely Unpredictable!!", known as "Saving Friends!!" in the Japanese version, is the thirty-first chapter of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL manga.

This chapter was first printed in Japanese in the 8/2013 issue of V Jump, released on June 21, 2013.

Featured Duels
Duel continues from the previous Rank.

A duel starts between Yuma and Shadow, while Kaito and Shark's duel continues at the same timing as Yuma and Shadow's duel. Shadow makes an offer for Yuma to give up his Life Points in exchange for Kaito's and Shark's Life Points. Yuma decides to give up 2002 Life Points, for Kaito and Shark to gain 1001 Life Points each (Yuma 4000 → 1998, Shark 500 → 1501, Kaito 500 → 1501).

Yuma Tsukumo vs. Shadow
Turn 1: Shadow

Shadow Normal Summons "Splitting Planarian" (1000/800) in Attack Position. He activates its effect, banishing it to Special Summon two "Shadow Planarian"s (500/400) from his deck. He then overlays his two Level 3 "Shadow Planarians" to Xyz Summon "Number 48: Shadow Lich" (1800/???) in Attack Position. He sets "Stun Xyz" and ends his turn.

Turn 2: Yuma

Yuma Special Summons "Swift Hippo Baluchitherium" (1600/???) from his hand through an unknown effect. When "Swift Hippo Baluchitherium" is Special Summoned from the hand, Yuma can Special Summon a monster from the opponent's Graveyard of the same Level, but Shadow has no monsters in his Graveyard. Yuma then Normal Summons "Gagaga Magician" (1500/1000), and overlays his two Level 4 monsters to Xyz Summon "Number 39: Utopia" (2500/2000) in Attack Position. Yuma attacks "Shadow Lich" with "Utopia", but Shadow activates "Shadow Lich"'s effect. When "Shadow Lich" is attacked, destroyed or banished by the card effect of a card the opponent controls, it can Special Summon as many "Mirage Token"s as possible instead, while becoming a "Mirage Token" itself. Shadow Special Summons 5 "Mirage Token"s (500/???) in Attack Position. He takes no battle damage involving "Mirage Token"s. A replay occurs, and Yuma attacks and destroys a "Mirage Token" with "Utopia", which is not the real "Shadow Lich". As a "Mirage Token" is destroyed, its effect activates, dealing damage equal to its ATK to the opponent (Yuma 1998 → 1498). Yuma sets "Half Unbreak" and ends his turn.

Turn 3: Shadow

Shadow activates "Shadow Lich"'s other effect, tributing his three "Mirage Token"s to increase its ATK by the combined ATK of all the "Mirage Token"s until the end of the turn ("Shadow Lich" 1800 → 3300). Shadow attacks "Utopia" with "Shadow Lich", at which point Yuma activates "Utopia"'s effect to negate the attack. Shadow activates his set "Stun Xyz" in turn, negating "Utopia"'s effect. Yuma activates his set "Half Unbreak", preventing "Utopia" from being destroyed by battle and halving any battle damage involving "Utopia". The attack continues (Yuma 1498 → 1098).

Ryoga "Shark" Kamishiro vs. Kaito Tenjo
Turn 7: Kaito

Kaito's "Number 13: Cain's Devil" (500/500) attacks Shark's "Number 31: Abel's Devil" (500/500), but both monsters are not destroyed from the battle. Their effects activate, dealing damage equal to their ATK to the other player (Shark 1501 → 1001, Kaito 1501 → 1001).

Turn 8: Shark

Shark's "Abel's Devil" attacks Kaito's "Cain's Devil". Both monsters are not destroyed, and both players take 500 damage. (Shark 1001 → 501, Kaito 1001 → 501).

Turn 9: Kaito

Kaito's "Cain's Devil" attacks Shark's "Abel's Devil". Both monsters are not destroyed, and both players take 500 damage. (Shark 501 → 1, Kaito 501 → 1).

Duel continues in the next Rank.

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

nglish version, as a recurring error, "Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon" misses the hyphen on its name throughout the chapter.

{{Decklist|Shadow
 * normal monsters =
 * Shadow Planarian x2
 * effect monsters =
 * Splitting Planarian
 * xyz monsters =
 * Number 48: Shadow Lich
 * traps =
 * Stun Xyz

{{Decklist|Yuma Tsukumo
 * effect monsters =
 * Swift Hippo Baluchitherium
 * Gagaga Magician
 * xyz monsters =
 * Number 39: Utopia
 * traps =
 * Half Unbreak

{{Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL chapters}}