A reporter corners Kira during an interview, accusing the current Duel King of poisoning the competitive scene. "The dueling environment has grown toxic under your reign," the journalist declares. "Heavy trap-based strategies and defensive, closed-off playstyles dominate because of you." Kira's face flushes with indignation. "Slander! Absolute slander!" he protests vehemently. "Why are you blaming me for this?" His voice rises. "Dueling has always operated this way!" The accusation stings unfairly. He refuses to shoulder responsibility for trends that existed long before his ascension to Duel King. But someone had to introduce him to Yu-Gi-OH! in the first place.