Episode 11

"At One With The Sword!! Synchro User 'Yaiba Tōdō'" (身剣一体！！シンクロ使い「刀堂刃」 Shinken Ittai!! Shinkuro Tsukai "Tōdō Yaiba"), known as "Going, Going, Gong" in the Dub version, is the eleventh episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime.

In the third Duel, You Show Duel School is represented by Gongenzaka while his opponent is Yaiba Tōdō from the LDS Synchro Course. Yaiba bounds around the field, all the while Synchro Summoning, as he tries to corner Gongenzaka, who keeps himself planted on a single portion of the field. Everyone is blown away by the fact Gongenzaka doesn't take a chance to get his hands on Action Cards. Meanwhile, he assembles a surprising strategy.

Summary
Tatsuya recaps that LDS suddenly appeared without warning and challenged them to a best-of-three match with You Show Duel School on the line. First, Yūya defeated the Xyz user Hokuto. Futoshi cries "shivers!" Ayu states that next, Yuzu lost her match against the Fusion user Masumi Kōtsu. Futoshi agrees, though he comments that Masumi's beauty gave him the shivers. Tatsuya states that with the score at 1-1, the one who will Duel the Synchro user Yaiba Tōdō is Gongenzaka, but Yaiba started off with two Synchro Summons in a row. Ayu asks if Gongenzaka will be okay with the two strong monsters out, and Gongenzaka yells "It's Mr. Gongenzaka! To use this man, Gongenzaka's name without honorifics is unforgivable!" He reassures them that he'll win for Yūya and protect You Show Duel School. Yaiba and Gongenzaka face off; both have 4000 LP, Gongenzaka holds four cards and Yaiba three, and while Gongenzaka controls the boosted-to-2500 DEF "Superheavy Samurai Kabuto", Yaiba has the 2500 ATK "X-Saber Souza" and the 3100 ATK "XX-Saber Gatmuz". Yūya is amazed that Yaiba could Synchro Summon twice in one turn. Yaiba asks the silent Gongenzaka if he's scared speechless, but Gongenzaka replies that a man should stand firm, not panic and not run around in an unseemly manner. Yaiba's heard enough, commenting that Gongenzaka won't mind if Yaiba goes all out, then, and he declares his Battle Phase. He has "Gatmuz" attack "Kabuto", and "Gatmuz" fires a blast from its sword, destroying "Kabuto", and Yaiba asks how Gongenzaka likes the cutting edge of the "X-Sabers." But he's not done yet. Yaiba attacks directly with "Souza", who leaps into the air and swings its swords, unleashing an X-shaped blast of light that pushes Gongenzaka backwards. He remains on his feet, his sandals digging gouges into the earth as his LP fall to 1500. The kids are amazed that Gongenzaka could withstand the 2500 damage, and Shūzō calls it hot-blooded, the foundation of their rivals, the Gongenzaka Dojo. Yaiba asks what they're talking about, Setting a card to end his turn. Gongenzaka declares his turn and he draws "Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei", thinking that the standard holder of his Steadfast Dueling is here. Since his opponent controls at least two monsters and Gongenzaka none, Gongenzaka can Special Summon "Superheavy Samurai Ten Bin" from his hand. And when it's Special Summoned, he can Special Summon a "Superheavy Samurai" from his Graveyard. "Ten Bin" aligns its water pan and "Kabuto" revives from one of the pans. Gongenzaka chants "Immovable like the mountains, I shall show you the true form of steadfastness!" He Releases "Ten Bin" and "Kabuto" to Advance Summon in Defense Position, and both monsters vanish in a puff of green dust, which become twin green pillars that unite, and the limbs of the monster emerge from it. Gongenzaka yells "Level 8! Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei!" as his monster is Summoned with 3500 DEF. Yaiba and the kids are shocked that Gongenzaka was able to Summon in face-up Defense Position, as usually one should only be able to Set monsters in Defense Position. Gongenzaka explains that "Big Benkei" can be Advanced Summoned in Defense Position. Yaiba snorts, asking so what if it can do that? Gongenzaka replies that without moving, it will win. This is the core principles of Steadfast Dueling. He declares his Battle Phase, attacking "XX-Saber Gatmuz" with "Big Benkei". Yaiba is shocked at an attack while in Defense Position as Gongenzaka explains that "Big Benkei" can attack while it's in Defense Position, and it can use its DEF as its ATK. Boosting forwards, "Big Benkei" slams its fist into the ground and blasts a flaming wave at "Gatmuz", as the kids realize that the 3500 DEF of "Big Benkei" against the 3100 ATK of "Gatmuz" will make "Big Benkei" the victor, and as "Gatmuz" is destroyed, Futoshi gets his shivers. Yaiba is reduced to 3600 LP, and Gongenzaka looks at his hand, which contains "Superheavy Samurai Soul Break Armor", "Superheavy Samurai Soul Fire Armor" and "Superheavy Samurai Soul Big Bang". He thinks that with this, his defense is set up and ends his turn with that.

Yaiba draws, and then Summons another "XX-Saber Boggart Knight". When it's Normal Summoned, he can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "X-Saber" monster from his hand, and he Special Summons "XX-Saber Ragigura". Futoshi dismisses it as a 200 ATK small-fry monster, but the effect of "Ragigura" activates, allowing Yaiba to add an "X-Saber" monster from his Graveyard to his hand since it was Special Summoned. He returns "XX-Saber Faultroll", which can be Special Summoned when he controls two or more "X-Saber" monsters. He Special Summons it and then activates its effect, allowing him to revive a Level 4 or lower "X-Saber" monster from his Graveyard. Ayu isn't impressed at another Special Summon, and Futoshi comments that it's like Yaiba is playing by himself. But any annoyance turns to horror when Yaiba revives "XX-Saber Fulhelmknight", the Tuner monster. They realize that Yaiba is going to Synchro Summon again, and Yaiba does so, tuning the Level 6 "Faultroll" with the Level 3 "Fulhelmknight". He chants "Let your silver armour shine! Crush the hope of all who oppose you! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 9! XX-Saber Gatmuz!" Yuzu is horrified that another "Gatmuz" showed up after the first one was defeated, but Yūya reassures her that its 3100 ATK is no threat to "Big Benkei". Yaiba agrees, sprinting away and swinging his wooden katana hard enough to displace an Action Card. Catching it, he claims that this will decide what happens, and he activates the card, "Extreme Sword", which will raise the ATK of one of his monsters in during battle by 1000. The sword of "Gatmuz" lengthens as its ATK increases to 4100, and Yūya is shocked, and with a chuckle, Yaiba claims that this is the real charm of Action Duels. He attacks "Big Benkei" with the powered-up "Gatmuz", much to Yuzu's horror. Yūya reassures her that Gongenzaka won't take damage from his Defense Position monster, but Yaiba calls him naive, as he activates his Trap Card, "Meteorain," which allows his monsters to deal Piercing battle damage this turn. Gongenzaka takes 600 damage, reducing him to 900 LP as flames lick at his clothes.

However, when the smoke clears, "Big Benkei" is still on the field, and Yaiba asks why. Gongenzaka explains that he sent "Superheavy Samurai Soul Fire Armor" from his hand to the Graveyard, which will allow him to prevent the destruction of one Level 5 or higher "Superheavy Samurai". Yaiba muses that Gongenzaka sacrificed his hand to protect his ace, and Gongenzaka adds that a monster whose destruction is prevented by "Soul Fire Armor" will lose 800 DEF. "Big Benkei" falls to 2700 DEF, noted by Tatsuya to still be higher than the ATK of "Souza". Yaiba draws out his wooden katana again, telling them that they'll see how that works out with this and swings his katana in front of him, which displaces a second Action Card. But the card goes towards Gongenzaka, and as Yaiba curses and sprints for the card, Tatsuya and Futoshi yell at him to get it. Gongenzaka refuses to move, so Yaiba grabs the card, another "Extreme Sword". He uses it to increase the ATK of "Souza" by 1000, to 3500, with the monster's swords lengthening as well. Yaiba has "Souza" attack "Big Benkei". Gongenzaka reminds Yaiba that the destruction of "Big Benkei" will be prevented by "Soul Fire Armor", and Yaiba in turn reminds him that he'll be taking 800 damage due to "Meteorain". This time, the blast of flame flings Gongenzaka backwards, reducing him to 100 LP. The kids gasp in horror, and Yuzu whispers Gongenzaka's name. Yaiba adds that "Soul Fire Armor" will reduce the DEF of "Big Benkei" by another 800, to 1900. He muses that Gongenzaka held out with the effects of the monsters in his hand, for such a big guy those sure are some small-minded tactics. Gongenzaka rises to his feet, replying that that's just how his Deck that he believes in saved him. Yaiba tells him that this will put an end to his tricks, and activates the effect of "Gatmuz". This allows him him to Release an "X-Saber" monster to have him discard a card from his hand. He Releases "Boggart Knight", and "Gatmuz" fires a blast at Gongenzaka's hand, turning one of the cards purple. Futoshi cries out in horror as Gongenzaka is forced to discard "Superheavy Samurai Soul Big Bang", but Yaiba has him discard the last card too, Releasing "Ragigura". Gongenzaka discards "Superheavy Samurai Soul Break Armor", leaving his hand at zero, with nothing he can do. Yaiba ends his turn with a Set card. Ayu asks what's going on; if this keeps up, Gongenzaka will definitely lose. Tatsuya and Futoshi lament that he didn't grab the Action Card, but Yūya reassures them that this is how Gongenzaka Duels. He remembers a time in their youth when Gongenzaka told him that Dueling is to fight while believing in one's Deck; when betting on Action Cards, one never knows what they're going to get. Even if they get it right a hundred times, one wrong move and they're done. Yūya protested that that makes it more exciting, and asked Gongenzaka how he fights with his Deck like this, which is revealed to be composed of only Monster Cards. Gongenzaka replied that the Deck is the Gongenzaka Style's Steadfast Dueling, and he'll show Yūya that by believing in this Deck, he can win. Back in the present, Yūya mentally urges Gongenzaka to make it through this battle with his Steadfast Dueling. It's Gongenzaka's turn, and he draws "Superheavy Samurai Soul Great Wall", which he immediately Summons. It can be equipped to a "Superheavy Samurai" monster he controls and increases its DEF by 1200. Yaiba calls him a lucky bastard for drawing the card, but Gongenzaka replies that it wasn't luck; his Deck understood his determination. Entering his Battle Phase, "Big Benkei" attacks "Souza," boosting forward with the rockets on "Soul Great Wall" and unleashing its flaming shockwave. The attack destroys "Souza" and reduces Yaiba's LP to 3000. Yūya cheers Gongenzaka on, and Yaiba screams that Gongenzaka's done it now. He activates a Trap, "Gatmuz's Emergency Orders", which allows him to Special Summon two "X-Saber" monsters from his Graveyard when he controls an "X-Saber" monster. He revives "Souza" and "Ragigura". The effect of "Ragigura" activates, which allows Yaiba to add "Faultroll" from his Graveyard back to his hand, and the kids recap the moves in shock. Hokuto comments that the ability to Summon monsters whether it's their turn or not and turn the tides so explosively is what makes an "X-Saber" Deck so frightening. Masumi points out that it's rare for Hokuto to compliment someone else's Deck - did losing make him that weak? Freezing up and whitening as the expression arrows hit him, Hokuto topples to the floor and slinks back to the corner again. Sora asks if Gongenzaka has a chance to win with his hand at zero, but Yūya replies that Gongenzaka hasn't given up yet.

Yaiba draws, and then reveals the other card in his hand, asking if Gongenzaka remembers it. Gongenzaka replies that "XX-Saber Faultroll" can be Special Summoned when Yaiba controls two or more "X-Saber" monsters, which he does now, so he Special Summons "Faultroll". Then he uses its effect to revive "Fulhelmknight" again, and Yūya realizes what having both of them means. Yaiba agrees, tuning the Level 6 "Faultroll" with the Level 3 "Fulhelmknight", declaring that it's a double showing of the "X-Saber's" strongest, "Gatmuz" and chanting "Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 9! XX-Saber Gatmuz!" Then he Releases "Ragigura" again, this time to activate the effect of "Souza", and he claims that Gongenzaka's face has "why did he do that" written all over it. Telling Gongenzaka that he'll find out soon enough, Yaiba declares his Battle Phase and he has "Souza" attack "Big Benkei". Tatsuya wonders why he's attacking with "Souza" when it has lower ATK, and Yaiba explains that by Releasing an "X-Saber" monster, "Souza" gains the ability to destroy any monster that it battles with this turn regardless of ATK or DEF. Yaiba yells that he'll take out that ace monster that Gongenzaka has been so stubbornly defending. Gongenzaka responds with the effect of "Soul Great Wall", allowing him to send it to the Graveyard to negate an attack on the equipped monster, but at the cost of reducing its DEF to 0. The blades of "Souza" dig into the ground instead, and Yaiba points out that without its DEF, "Big Benkei" is nothing. He'll reduce Gongenzaka's life to shreds with his two remaining "Gatmuz", and has one attack "Big Benkei".

Gongenzaka yells that that's what he was waiting for. He activates the effect of "Superheavy Samurai Soul Break Armor" from his Graveyard, and when he removes it, Yaiba realizes that it was one of the cards that "Gatmuz" had sent to the Graveyard earlier. Gongenzaka explains that "Soul Break Armor" shows its true strength in the Graveyard: by banishing it while he has no Magic or Trap Cards in his Graveyard, he can inflict damage to his opponent equal to the difference between the current and original DEF of a "Superheavy Samurai" he controls. As "Soul Break Armor" appears on the field, Yaiba is horrified, and the kids realize that Gongenzaka will win. Sora for the first time is absolutely floored, as he drops his lollipop to the ground, where it smashes. Yūya explains that the conditions necessary to pull off the comeback were to have no Magic or Trap Cards in his Graveyard, so Gongenzaka didn't use any Magic or Trap cards and made his Deck with only monsters. The LDS students are all shocked at the insanity of the idea, and Yaiba realizes that this was why Gongenzaka didn't take the Action Card, as they count as Magic Cards. Gongenzaka asks if Yaiba understands the true power of Steadfast Dueling now. Connected to "Big Benkei" by a stream of red energy, "Soul Break Armor" blasts four red orbs at Yaiba, who admits that Gongenzaka made some pretty interesting plays. Yaiba activates the Quick-Play Magic Card "Saber Reflect" from his hand, allowing him to negate an instance of effect damage while he controls an "X-Saber" monster. A blue shield appears around him and intercepts the blasts, and Yūya looks worried for the first time, horrified that Yaiba still had that option. Yaiba adds that the reflected damage will be bounced back at his opponent, and the shield surges towards Gongenzaka as he yells that this is the end. Gongenzaka closes his eyes and thinks "Namusan!" as the energy surges for him.

Gongenzaka opens his eyes and activates the effect of another card that Yaiba had sent to his Graveyard, "Superheavy Samurai Soul Big Bang". When he has no Magic or Trap Cards in his Graveyard, by banishing it he can negate damage from an opponent's card effect. Yaiba is furious that Gongenzaka negated his own reflected damage as "Soul Big Bang" sucks in the energy, but that's not all; "Soul Big Bang" also destroys all the monsters on the field, and deals the total Levels of the destroyed monsters times 100 to both players. Everyone is horrified as Yaiba gasps that their total Levels are 33 - that's 3300 damage. "Soul Big Bang" explodes, and the blastwave shreds all of the monsters on the field, blowing both Gongenzaka and Yaiba off their feet and reducing their LP to zero. The kids realize that it's a draw.

As the Action Field fades, Yūya runs to Gongenzaka, who sits up weakly, apologizing. Even with Heavystrong Dueling, he couldn't protect You Show Duel School. Yūya reassures Gongenzaka that it's thanks to him that they got a draw, and Gongenzaka showed him the strength of the Deck that he believes in. Up in the box, Shūzō muses that the result of the best-of-three match is a win, loss and a draw. He tells Himika that she said that she would take the Duel School if they won the best-of-three, but since the result was a draw, he kindly asks her to leave. Having kept quiet so far, Himika stubbornly refuses to let the matter lie; this was a Duel to settle everything, so there can be no draws. Shūzō points out that the Duel actually did end in a draw, but Himika proposes a tie-breaker between the Duelists who won. That's fine with Shūzō, isn't it? Shūzō protests as Yūya and Gongenzaka come back in, Yūya now wearing his goggles. Himika comments that it seems like Yūya's up for it, and asks if they shall Duel, as Masumi nods. A voice tells them to wait, and Reiji steps out from behind the wall where he was eavesdropping from, lowering his hood and claiming that he'll put an end to this. Yūya turns and looks at Reiji, and they both stare each other down.

Noboru Gongenzaka vs. Yaiba Tōdō
Duel continues from the previous episode.

Gongenzaka has 4000 LP remaining, 4 cards in his hand, and controls "Superheavy Samurai Kabuto" (CG Star 4/1000/2000 → 2500) in Defense Position and no Set cards. Yaiba has 4000 LP remaining, 3 cards in his hand, and controls "X-Saber Souza" (CG Star 7/2500/1600) and "XX-Saber Gatmuz" (CG Star 9/3100/2600) both in Attack Position and no Set cards.

Turn 2: Yaiba

"XX-Saber Gatmuz" attacks and destroys "Superheavy Samurai Kabuto". "X-Saber Souza" attacks directly (Gongenzaka: 4000 → 1500 LP). Yaiba Sets 1 card.

Turn 3: Gongenzaka

Gongenzaka draws "Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei". As his opponent controls two or more monsters, Gongenzaka Special Summons "Superheavy Samurai Ten Bin" (CG Star 4/800/1800) from his hand in Attack Position via its own effect. As it was Normal or Special Summoned, its other effect activates, letting him Special Summon a "Superheavy Samurai" monster from his Graveyard. He Special Summons "Kabuto" (CG Star 4/1000/2000) in Attack Position. Gongenzaka Releases his two monsters to Advance Summon "Big Benkei" (CG Star 8/1000/3500), whose effect allows it to be Advance Summoned in face-up Defense Position instead of being Set. "Big Benkei" may attack while it is Defense Position, with its DEF being applied as its ATK. "Big Benkei" attacks and destroys "Gatmuz" (Yaiba: 4000 → 3600 LP). Gongenzaka's hand contains "Superheavy Samurai Soul Break Armor", "Superheavy Samurai Soul Fire Armor" and "Superheavy Samurai Soul Big Bang".

Turn 4: Yaiba

Yaiba Normal Summons "XX-Saber Boggart Knight" (CG Star 4/1900/1000). As it was Normal Summoned, its effect activates, letting Yaiba Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "X-Saber" monster from his hand. He Special Summons "XX-Saber Ragigura" (CG Star 1/200/1000) in Attack Position. As it was Normal or Special Summoned, its effect activates, letting Yaiba add an "X-Saber" monster from his Graveyard to his hand. He adds "XX-Saber Faultroll". As he controls two or more "X-Saber" monsters, Yaiba Special Summons "Faultroll" (CG Star 6/2400/1800) from his hand in Attack Position via its own effect. Yaiba activates the effect of "Faultroll", letting him Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "X-Saber" monster from his Graveyard once per turn. He Special Summons "XX-Saber Fulhelmknight" (CG Star 3/1300/1000) in Attack Position. Yaiba tunes the Level 3 Tuner monster "Fulhelmknight" with the Level 6 "Faultroll" to Synchro Summon another "XX-Saber Gatmuz" (CG Star 9/3100/2600) in Attack Position. Yaiba finds and activates the Action Card "Extreme Sword", increasing the ATK of a monster on the field by 1000 until the End Phase ("Gatmuz": 3100 → 4100/2600). "Gatmuz" attacks "Big Benkei", with Yaiba activating his face-down "Meteorain", letting his monsters inflict piercing battle damage this turn (Gongenzaka: 1500 → 900 LP). Gongenzaka activates the effect of the "Soul Fire Armor" in his hand, sending it to the Graveyard to target a Level 5 or higher Defense Position "Superheavy Samurai" monster he controls. It cannot be destroyed by battle this turn, but its DEF is decreased by 800 ("Big Benkei": 1000/3500 → 2700). Yaiba finds and activates the Action Card "Extreme Sword", increasing the ATK of a monster on the field by 1000 until the End Phase ("Souza": 2500 → 3500/1600). "Souza" attacks "Big Benkei", with "Soul Fire Armor" preventing its destruction by battle, but Gongenzaka still receives Piercing battle damage (Gongenzaka: 900 → 100 LP, "Big Benkei": 1000/2700 → 1900). Yaiba activates the effect of "Gatmuz", letting him Release an "X-Saber" monster to discard a random card from Gongenzaka's hand. He Releases "Boggart Knight" and Gongenzaka discards "Soul Big Bang". Yaiba activates the effect again, Releasing "Ragigura" to force Gongenzaka to discard "Soul Break Armor". Yaiba Sets 1 card.

Turn 5: Gongenzaka

Gongenzaka draws "Superheavy Samurai Soul Great Wall" and subsequently Normal Summons it (CG Star 3/1200/1200). He activates its effect, letting him equip it to a "Superheavy Samurai" monster he controls and increase its DEF by 1200 ("Big Benkei": 1000/1900 → 3100). "Big Benkei" attacks and destroys "Souza" (Yaiba: 3600 → 3000 LP). As he controls an "X-Saber" monster, Yaiba activates his face-down "Gatmuz's Emergency Orders", letting him Special Summon two "X-Saber" monsters from either Graveyard. He Special Summons "Souza" (CG Star 7/2500/1600) and "Ragigura" (CG Star 1/200/1000), both in Attack Position. As it was Normal or Special Summoned, the effect of "Ragigura" activates, so Yaiba adds "Faultroll" from his Graveyard to his hand.

Turn 6: Yaiba

As he controls two or more "X-Saber" monsters, Yaiba Special Summons "XX-Saber Faultroll" (CG Star 6/2400/1800) from his hand in Attack Position via its own effect. Yaiba activates the effect of "Faultroll", Special Summoning "XX-Saber Fulhelmknight" (CG Star 3/1300/1000) from the Graveyard in Attack Position. Yaiba tunes the Level 3 Tuner monster "Fulhelmknight" with the Level 6 "Faultroll" to Synchro Summon another "XX-Saber Gatmuz" (CG Star 9/3100/2600) in Attack Position. Yaiba activates the effect of "Souza", letting him Release an "X-Saber" monster to allow "Souza" to destroy any monster it battles at the start of the Damage Step or prevent it from being destroyed by the effects of Trap Cards. He Releases "Ragigura" to activate the former effect. "Souza" attacks "Big Benkei", but Gongenzaka activates the effect of "Soul Great Wall", sending it to the Graveyard as the equipped monster is being attacked. This negates the attack, but reduces the DEF of the equipped monster to 0 ("Big Benkei": 1000/3100 → 0). The first "Gatmuz" attacks "Big Benkei", but Gongenzaka activates the effect of the "Soul Break Armor" in his Graveyard as there are no Magic/Trap Cards in it and he controls a monster whose current DEF is lower than its original DEF that is being attacked. He banishes "Soul Break Armor" to inflict damage to his opponent equal to the difference between the current and original DEF, meaning 3500. As he controls an "X-Saber" monster and would take effect damage, Yaiba activates the Instant Magic Card "Saber Reflect", inflicting the damage to his opponent instead. As he controls a "Superheavy Samurai" monster, has no Magic/Trap Cards in his Graveyard and his opponent has activated a card effect that would inflict damage, Gongenzaka activates the effect of the "Soul Big Bang" in his Graveyard, banishing it to reduce the damage to 0, destroy all monsters on the field and inflict damage equal to their combined Levels × 100 to both players, meaning 3300 (Gongenzaka: 100 → 0 LP, Yaiba: 3000 → 0 LP).

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