{{Quoteredirect|Yusaku Fujiki<ref name="ep12"/>Playmaker|Thatthe ''Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL's right. I am the emissary of revenge. I'll crush the [[Knights of Hanoi]].card|""Playmaker"" (card)}}

| other_names = * Playmaker(プレイメーカー, ''Pureimēkā'')* Unknown (アンノウン, ''Announ'', Japanese version only)<ref name="ep64">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|64|ref}}</ref>

| school = [[Den AcademyCity High School]]| anime_deck = [[Cyberse]]

 '''Yusaku Fujiki''' ({{Ruby|藤|ふじ}}{{Ruby|木|き}} {{Ruby|遊|ゆう}}{{Ruby|作|さく}}, ''Fujiki Yūsaku'') , known as '''Playmaker''' (プレイメーカー, ''Pureimēkā'') in [[LINK VRAINS]], is the main protagonist of the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS]]'' anime.<ref name="jumpfesta">{{cite web | url = https://ygorganization.com/jump-festa-2017-latest-information-stage/ | title = The Organization {{!}} <nowiki>The Organization | [Jump Festa 2017] </nowiki> Latest Information Stage: 6th Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime</nowiki> | publisher = YGOrganization | date = December 17, 2016 | accessdate = December 17, 2016}}</ref> When Dueling A victim of the [[Hanoi Project]], he battles against the [[Knights of Hanoi]] in order to avenge his past with the aid of his friend [[Cal Kolter]] and the [[LINK VRAINSIgnis]]that he has captured, he [[Ai]]. He is known as '''Playmaker'the Origin of Ai. In the second season, Yusaku becomes entangled in the kidnapping of [[Jin Kolter]]'s soul and the hunt for the people who destroyed the [[Cyberse (world)|Cyberse]], teaming up with fellow Hanoi Project victim [[Theodore Hamilton]] and Theodore's own Ignis, [[Flame (character)|Flame]].

<div style="float: left; ">{{double image|left<!-- -->|Yusaku_Normal.png|150<!--177 -->|Yusaku_VR_duel.png|150<!--200 -->|Yusaku's normal in his school uniform, and VR clothinghis Avatar Playmaker.}}</div>Yusaku is a rangy teenage boy with fair skin, green eyes, and dark blue hair that spikes outward in the back and contains light blue bangs with pink accents. In the dub, his skinny arms are the source of much mockery, usually from [[Ai]]. His standard attire consists of a slate-colored jacket with light blue trim over a white dress shirt with a blue tie and a pair of black pants and black and white shoes. His casual clothes consist of simple dark clothing; he conceals his identity with a hoodie prior to teaming up with [[Cal Kolter]], and he later wears an apron when manning [[Café Nom]].

While Dueling in [[LINK VRAINS]]As Playmaker, Yusaku wears a black and green outfit bodysuit with a golden stripe going across his body and a grey belt at the waistline. His hair color also changes to yellow and red with pink strips and accents. Occasionally, the golden stripes in his "Playmaker" outfit bodysuit glowwhen he uses his Skill.They also glow different colors when he uses different Summoning methods; glowing light blue when he [[Ritual Summon]]s, purple when he [[Fusion Summon]]s, light green when he [[Synchro Summon]]s, and dark blue when he [[Xyz Summon]]s.<ref name="ep54">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|54|ref}}</ref><ref name="ep73">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|73|ref}}</ref><ref name="ep82">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|82|ref}}</ref>

[[File:YoungYusaku.png|thumb|100px|Young Yusaku.]]

{{Quote|That's right. I am the emissary of revenge. I'll crush the [[Knights of Hanoi]].|author=Yusaku Fujiki<ref name="ep12"/>}}Yusaku may be the first ''Yu-Gi-Oh !'' protagonist who is an anti-hero. He is not a bad person, but he can appear cold and apathetic. Yusaku is described as a boy who doesn't like standing out at school, not that he's timid or shy but because he is a hacker. Due to a certain incidentthe trauma of the Lost Incident, he generally tries to avoid contact with others and only seems to trust [[Shoichi KusanagiCal Kolter|Kolter]]. HoweverYusaku is calm and collected most of the time. Outside of Duels he is shown to be intelligent and clever, he gets drawn into encounters but also calculating, standoffish, reserved, and somewhat anti-social. He prefers to distance himself from others and doesn't usually interact with people , not even remembering his classmates' names after a month in school. When [[Naoki Shima]] tried to be friendly with him, Yusaku casually admitted to being a loner and inadvertently irritated Shima with his observations, then didn't react to Shima storming off. In public, Yusaku comes off as rather awkward and often doesn't know how to answer questions, leading others to assume things about him, such as when Shima assumed he wanted to join the Duel Club and Skye assumed he tries out Dueling for oncewanted new equipment from SOL. Despite his aloof and calm demeanor Yusaku can be quite sullen when it comes to dealing with Ai's antics. In the dub, Yusaku is substantially snarkier, particularly when it comes to dealing with Ai.<ref name="jumpfesta" />

As a childDespite his introverted and cold nature, Yusaku was very timidis both noble and golden-hearted deep down. He is on well terms with his best friend, Kolter and didnshows sympathy or care for others't have confidence in situations like when he discovers that everything [[George Gore|Gore]] does is for his abilities. After being encouraged by an unknown individualorphanage, but he became a very brave refuses to let others get close to him and confident personjoin his fight against the Hanoi out of concern that they may get hurt.

Yusaku is calm and collected most of the time. Outside of Duels As Playmaker he is shown to be intelligent have a cold and cleverserious demeanor, but also calculatingat the same time he displays some noble traits to his personality, standoffish, reservedsuch as saving [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]] when she was about to be attacked by "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". Because of the [[Hanoi Project]] from ten years ago, Yusaku hates the [[Knights of Hanoi]] and somewhat anti-socialswears revenge against them. He prefers to distance himself from others and doesndidn't usually interact with people, not even remembering his classmates' names after a month in school. When hesitate to capture [[Naoki ShimaAi]] tried and threatened to be friendly with delete himin order to challenge the Hanoi, Yusaku casually admitted to being a loner and inadvertently irritated Naoki though he shows more restraint with his observations[[Akira Zaizen]], then stating that he didn't react hate him for torturing him and later refusing to Naoki storming offattack [[Spectre]] during their Duel out of fear for Zaizen's safety. In public, Yusaku comes off as rather awkward As pointed out by both Varis and often doesn't know how to answer questions, leading others to assume things about him, such as when Naoki assumed Spectre he wanted to join has a sense of justice and will help those hurt by the Duel Club Hanoi. He is also very confident and Aoi assumed he wanted new equipment from SOL. Despite has lot of faith in his aloof and calm demeanor Yusaku can be quite sullen when it comes to dealing with Ai's anticsabilities.

Despite his introverted Unlike most of the previous protagonists, who enjoy Dueling and cold naturesee it as fun, Yusaku is both noble and golden-hearted deep downsees Dueling as a tool to eliminate those who are getting in his way. He is on well terms with also unique in that his best friendmotivations for his actions are for revenge, Shoichi Kusanagi and shows sympathy or care instead of uniting people via Dueling. According to othersKolter, Yusaku doesn' situations like t really seem to enjoy Dueling either, as such he tends to reject challenges from other Duelists. That said, when he discovers that everything Go Onizuka is either forced to accept a Duel or willingly does is for the orphanageso, he will not abandon it, but refuses such as when SOL prevented him from logging out when he was forced to let others get close Duel The Gore and chose to continue it even when Kolter made an escape route for him . Furthermore, Yusaku is not above complimenting his opponents, as when he Dueled Gore, he claimed that his Duel style, which was meant to excite both the crowd and join even his opponent, was first-rate. According to Zaizen, Yusaku sees Dueling as a way of life; winning Duels verifies his fight against Hanoi out sense of concern that they may get hurtself, and to lose is to lose himself, which he believes to be the secret to Yusaku's strength.

As Playmaker he is shown to have Yusaku also has a cold and serious demeanorphilosophy of listing three reasons for his observations, but at the same time something he displays some noble traits to his personality, such as saving learned from [[Aoi Zaizen|Blue AngelRoken Kogami]] when she while he was about to be attacked by "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". For currently unknown reasons, Yusaku hates in captivity during the [[Knights of Hanoi]] and swears revenge against themProject. He didn't hesitate to capture [[Ai]] and threatened Yusaku does this to delete him in order to challenge the Hanoi. As pointed out by Revolver he has a sense of justice and will help those hurt by the Hanoi. He is also very confident his thoughts better and has lot of faith in clear his abilities. He is a determined duelist who never gives upmind when confused or feeling discouraged.

Unlike most of the previous protagonists, who enjoy Dueling and see it as fun, [[File:Yusaku sees Dueling as a tool to eliminate those who are getting in his wayTreatment. He is also unique in that his motivations png|thumb|250px|left|Yusaku receives counseling for his actions are for revenge, instead of uniting people via Duelingtrauma.]][[File:Yusaku PTSD. According png|thumb|250px|A horrified Yusaku wakes up from a nightmare due to Shoichi Kusanagi, his PTSD.]]Yusaku doesn't really seem to enjoy Dueling either, as such s cold anti-social nature was a result of the intense torture he tends to reject challenges from other Duelistswent through during the [[Hanoi Project]]. That saidDespite having undergone years of therapy, when he is either forced to accept a Duel or willingly does so, he will not abandon it, such as when SOL prevented him Yusaku still suffers from [[wikipedia:Posttraumatic stress disorder|post-traumatic stress disorder]] from logging out when he was forced to Duel Go Onizuka and chose to continue it even when Shoichi made an escape route for himthat incident. Furthermore, Yusaku believes his life is not above complimenting his opponents, as when he Dueled Onizuka, he claimed that his Duel style, which was meant already cut short due to excite both the crowd incident and even his opponent, was first-rateas such he doesn't need friends or a future.

Following the events of the first season, Yusaku slowly begins to change, and this is largely due to his interactions with Ai and Varis, who he discovered to be the Ignis based on him and the person who kept up his spirits respectively. He is generally level-headedand Ai gradually build up a rocky, but trusting relationship, seriousand after learning Varis's true identity, aloof Yusaku casts aside his desire for revenge and keeps attempts to save Varis from himself, expressing a stoic expression most of desire to have a friend for the first time. In the dub, though this is taken even further, as Yusaku openly declares that he can give short smiles occasionally. He is also doesn't seem fighting for his fallen allies and impresses upon Roken the damage that his actions would cause both to the world and to carry animosity towards othershimself. As he states in his final Duel with Bohman, as he stated Yusaku comes to believe that his allies expanded his views and that there are experiences one can only learn by accepting one's friends. Though still quiet and anti-social, he didnbecomes far more willing to work with other people; teaming up with [[Theodore Hamilton]] and [[Flame (character)|Flame]], and later even extending an offer to Gore to work together again despite Gore't hate Akira for s negative feelings towards him. When his foul tortureclosest friends fall in the war with the Ignis, making it clear that Yusaku is heartbroken; he only hates is further traumatized after being forced to defeat Kolter, though this is eased by Kolter anticipating the Knights of Hanoiscenario and asking him to do so, and infuriated by Soulburner's defeat at Bohman's hands.

He also Initially, Yusaku has a habit little knowledge nor care of the battle between humans and the Ignis. Once Yusaku does learn of the conflict, he is fiercely disbelieving of listing out three reasons the Knights of Hanoi's stance on A.I., particularly after learning that these views are based on simulations. In the dub, Yusaku goes as far as to state that destroying the Ignis because humans believe the Ignis would destroy them makes humanity no better than the Ignis supposedly are. When he becomes aware of Lightning's plans to destroy humanity, Yusaku emphasizes the need for peace, as he does not want to see another event like the Lost Incident and he states that he does not want to fight the Ignis, trying to talk down Varis from his observationscrusade. Despite this, something he learned from an unknown individual while is drawn into the conflict, though he was continues to believe in captivity when an open future with the Ignis and later asks Ai and Flame to hide after the war is over, as he was youngerbelieves that other humans would attempt to exploit them.  Following the events of the Ignis Warfare and the downfall of Bohman, Yusaku does this becomes emotionally conflicted by the thought of having to order fight against Ai, his thoughts better former partner and clear his mind when confused or feeling discouragedfriend. Despite this he still chooses to fight, believing he could try to reason with Ai. Oddly enoughIn addition, Yusaku becomes more sympathetic towards Ai, [[Revolver]] shares this habitunderstanding the grief Ai went through after losing his fellow Ignis.

Yusaku is said to be an intelligent hacker who possesses considerable ability and who solves mysteries in a cool manner. It helps him to read a situation and Decode Talker's thoughts.  Cool-headed and extremely clever, Yusaku's real skill is in his hacking and cracking abilities. He was able to hack into SOL Technologies' systems to find Ai, which both SOL and the Knights of Hanoi had been hunting, within a few minutes and in the middle of a security scan, and managed to capture it into his Duel Disk while leaving the AI Ignis with no means to escape. He has been fighting the Knights of Hanoi for some time without leaving any trace of his actions as "Playmaker", and keeps a dummy deck to mislead others when in public. Yusaku combines his high intellect with his hacking abilities to quickly come up with plans and think on his feet.  An observant individual, he is good at reading people. When Dueling, Yusaku keeps a close eye on his opponent's body language and expressions to know when they're planning something, and as such, he usually isn't surprised when something unexpected happens.

When in a [[Speed Duel (VRAINS)|Speed Duel]], Yusaku's [[Skill]] is "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access ]]", which allows him to randomly access a never-before-seen card [[Cyberse]] [[Link Monster]] from a Data Storm when his [[LP]] are 1000 or lower, at the cost of having to venture into the Data Storm (it would also appear that the more he uses this Skill, the easier it becomes for him to execute it, as when he used it in his Duels against the Knight of Hanoi and Go OnizukaGore, he struggled greatly, and had to use his left hand to steady his right arm; however, when he used it in his Duel against Blue Angel, he didn't struggle as much, nor did he steady his right arm). The cards obtained using this ability can then be converted into physical cards outside of LINK VRAINS using appropriate technology; also, as stated by [[Emma Bessho|Ghost GirlGal]], "Storm Access" is a unique skill that not just any Duelist can use. He can also teleport back to his D-Duel Board should he fall off from it during a Duel, though he would first need to stop his fall to do so. During the second season, his Skill evolves, becoming "Neo Storm Access" and in addition to allowing him to add other types of Cyberse Extra Deck monsters to his Extra Deck, it can also be used a second time and allow him to draw a card if it fails and his LP is 100 or less.

Yusaku displays a strange ability to sense and see things in the network world when not logged in called [[Link Sense]]. Yusaku has had this ability since from a young age. Similar to Ai, he can also discern a Knight of Hanoi's presence through their cards, which allowed him to immediately determine that Go Gore was not a Knight of Hanoi and know when Blue Angel had drawn the card that was affected by Hanoi's influence. He can hear and feel the pulse of his [[Cyberse]] monsters. In the dub, this ability is even stronger, as he was able to briefly perceive the seed of the Tower of Hanoi rather than simply sense its presence when it reacted.

Like the protagonists of the previous five series ([[Yugi Muto]], [[Jaden Yuki]], [[Yusei Fudo]], [[Yuma Tsukumo]], and [[Yuya Sakaki]]), his name contains the character「遊」(Yu). In a break from tradition, however, his first name contains three syllables instead of the usual two.

His given name contains the characters "game" (''Yu'' 遊), and "work" (''Saku'' 作). His surname, '''Fujiki''', means "[[wikipedia:wisteria|wisteria]] tree", the blue-and-pink coloring of which matches that of his hair. The kanji of his given name can also be translated as "playing" and "making", which is most likely the pun of his VR name "The Playmaker".

[[File:Young Yusaku loses.png|thumb|left|Young 250px|Yusaku loses in an unknown location with losing a VR mask on.Duel during the Hanoi Project]][[File:Young Yusaku found in a forest.png|thumb|Young 250px|Yusaku found in a forestis rescued from the Hanoi Project.]]Yusaku mentioned the once ran into [[Knights of HanoiRoken Kogami]] stole his past and some of , knocking his memoriesDeck over. As he picked up the cards, Yusaku vaguely remembers being held captive at an unknown facility when he was younger being forced to Duel. After losing a and Roken asked one another if they played ''DuelMonsters'', someone told Yusaku and Roken offered to think of three reasons why he needed to stay alive and win Duels. Ever since show Yusaku kept the habit of listing out three reasons for his thoughts, but he never found out who Deck at his house.<ref name="gave him courageep58". At some point, he and five other children were found in a forest, presumably after having escaped captivity. He shortly recollected >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|58|ref}}</ref> But once Yusaku arrived at one point that the [[Kogami family's house]], he most likely surfed was kidnapped as part of the winds in [[LINK VRAINSHanoi Project]] before they disappearedand he woke up in a white, empty room, with VR goggles.<ref name="ep1">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1|ref}}</ref> At some point Yusaku began fighting the Knights of Hanoi under the alias "Playmaker" with Yusaku was forced to [[Shoichi KusanagiDuel]]continuously for six months, and was penalized for losing with electrocution and starvation. During Yusaku's help. "Playmaker" soon became imprisonment, a famous [[Duelist]] within LINK VRAINSvoice told him not to give up, with no one knowing what his real identity is because and advised him to think of three reasons to continue fighting. Yusaku asked who the voice was, but the voice told him he always deleted his activity logs'd soon go home. After six months, the system was disbanded, and while Yusaku was rescued, the Incident was covered up and not mentioned in the media.<ref name=Yusaku developed PTSD due to the torture he suffered during the Incident, and though he received treatment for it and was treated normally by society, he found himself unable to recover from the tragedies he'd suffered.<ref name="ep1ep19" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|19|ref}}</ref>  Eventually, Yusaku decided to take action and face his own destiny by taking revenge on those who had wronged him, though he still kept the advice to think of three reasons to continue fighting to his heart.<ref name="ep11" /> He learned that the "Lost Incident" that he had been put through was called the "Hanoi Project", and he decided to hunt down the hacker group the [[Knights of Hanoi]], believing them to be responsible for the "Hanoi Project". He worked alone under the alias "Unknown" (in the dub, he simply did not use an alias at all), rescuing another Duelist from the Knights of Hanoi, [[Cal Kolter|Unnamed]]. Unnamed tried to ask if Unknown knew anything about the Lost Incident, but Unknown simply told him to log out. Unknown later rescued Unnamed again, asking why he kept logging in. Unnamed explained that he was fighting for his little brother's sake, and Unknown distracted the Knights of Hanoi to allow Unnamed to get beyond their field that prevented him from logging out. Unknown then challenged one of the Knights to a Duel, countering his "[[Limiter Removal (anime)|Limiter Removal]]" with "[[Forbidden Lance (anime)|Forbidden Lance]]" and his own "Limiter Removal" to power up "[[Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow (anime)|Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow]]" and defeat the Knight in a single attack. As he fled from the other Knights, a portal appeared above him and the voice of Unnamed told him to jump into it. The portal logged Unknown out, and Unnamed told him to come to [[Café Nom]].<ref name="ep64">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|64|ref}}</ref> Yusaku visited the hotdog stand and met with Cal Kolter, who was shocked to learn that he was so young and asked if he was a victim of the Lost Incident. He explained that his brother, [[Jin Kolter|Jin]], had also been a victim and had been significantly changed by the experience. Kolter offered to team up with Yusaku, describing him as the ultimate spear, while Kolter could act as the ultimate shield, and Yusaku agreed.<ref name="ep64" /> Yusaku and Kolter quickly became a strong team, defeating several Knights of Hanoi, but making little progress in their goals for revenge. Yusaku wondered if the Knights were hunting the [[Cyberse]] monsters because they were scared of them, and he decided to investigate an urban legend of a Cyberse Deck in a secret dungeon. As he and Unnamed explored the dungeon, Unknown had to save Unnamed from a booby trap, and he noted that if one lost their [[Duel Disk]] in LINK VRAINS, they couldn't log out. They managed to find the Deck, but the way was blocked by a Duel Puzzle that a Knight of Hanoi undertook. Unknown observed the Ancient Ghost's [[Extra Link]] and watched as the Knight of Hanoi attempted to win by attacking with the [[Megamorph (anime)|powered-up]] "[[Update Jammer (anime)|Update Jammer]]", but was defeated by "[[Chaos Burst (anime)|Chaos Burst]]" and logged out by being devoured by a monster. Unknown then undertook the challenge himself, cautiously observing his cards in his [[Graveyard]] and [[Extra Deck]] as well as in his hand and on his field at Unnamed's suggestion. Another Knight of Hanoi arrived as Unknown realized the solution, and Unnamed chained the Knight up to buy Unknown time. They deduced that destroying five monsters with "[[Thunder Crash (anime)|Thunder Crash]]" and then reviving them with "[[Torrential Reborn (later anime)|Torrential Reborn]]" would inflict enough damage to win, but they controlled a [[Token monster]], as the Knight pointed out, which would not be revived. Unknown was able to assemble the necessary field to trigger the combo, defeating the Ancient Ghost. They sprinted to the sarcophagus, but it was empty, and the Knight mocked them before logging out.<ref name="ep65">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|65|ref}}</ref> Yusaku realized that the layout of the field had been a map of Den City, which depicted the location of the Cyberse Deck in the real world. Sure enough, when he and Kolter went to the unfinished first bridge of the city, they found a room with arrows leading to it and the "[[Secure Gardna (anime)|Secure Gardna]]" card on the door, with the Cyberse Deck inside the real sarcophagus. Kolter declared that the power of the Deck would allow them to combat the Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep65" /> With the powerful Cyberse Deck in hand, Yusaku took up the alias of "Playmaker", and soon became a famous [[Duelist]] within LINK VRAINS, with no one knowing what his real identity because he and Kolter always deleted his activity logs.<ref name="ep1">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1|ref}}</ref> ===Knights of Hanoi===At school, Yusaku met [[Naoki Shima]], who started bragging to him about his new [[Duel Disk]]. Yusaku attempted to leave, but Shima offered to teach him how to Duel. Yusaku rejected his offer saying Shima did not seem very strong, but probably not a bad person either. Yusaku's remarks annoyed Shima, but he didn't think much of it. Before leaving, he wondered about a rule set where there were only three Main Monster Zones.<ref name="ep1" /> [[File:Yusaku and Kusanagi disccussing.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku and Kolter talking about the A.I.]][[File:Playmaker Saves The Blue Angel.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker saves Blue Angel.]]Yusaku later met up with [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] and they discussed how both [[SOL Technologies]] and the [[Knights of Hanoi]] were chasing after [[Ai|an A.I. program]] in [[LINK VRAINS]]. Upon learning that SOL Technologies had scheduled a full scan of Link VRAINS that evening to try and find the A.I., they quickly started working on a trap to catch the A.I. themselves. Although Yusaku successfully captured the reluctant A.I. in his Duel Disk, one of [[Number 10 (character)|the Knights of Hanoi]] threatened to destroy LINK VRAINS. Yusaku quickly logged into LINK VRAINS as Playmaker and saved [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]] from the Knight's "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". He then challenged the Knight to a Duel, putting the A.I. at stake. The A.I. voiced his doubts that Yusaku's Deck could beat "Cracking Dragon", and stirred up [[Data Storm]] in LINK VRAINS, starting a [[Speed Duel (VRAINS)|Speed Duel]] between Yusaku and the Knight.<ref name="ep1" /> [[File:Knight of Hanoi laughs at Playmaker.png|thumb|left|250px|Playmaker being overwhelmed by the Data Storm]]As Playmaker rode the Data Storm, the A.I. explained how Speed Duels differed from [[Master Duel]]s; including that there were only three Main Monster Zones, causing Playmaker to wonder if he already knew about Speed Duels. Ai offered to help Playmaker Duel the Knight, but Playmaker refused, reminding Ai that he was his hostage. The Knight took the first turn and swiftly Summoned "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". Playmaker counterattacked with "[[Cyberse Wizard (anime)|Cyberse Wizard]]", using its effect to change "Cracking Dragon" to [[Defense Position]] and inflict damage to the Knight. He failed to destroy "Cracking Dragon", something Playmaker had expected due to the Knight's confidence.<ref name="ep2">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|2|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker Storm Access.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker uses the "Storm Access" Skill.]]The Knight activated a [[Skill]], which the A.I. hadn't mentioned, irritating Playmaker. The Knight managed to knock Playmaker off his [[Duel Board]], but Blue Angel saved Playmaker by using her whip to throw the Duel Board back at him. The Knight reduced Playmaker's LP to 400, and he was sucked into the Data Storm. Playmaker realized that this was part of the A.I's calculations. Ai revealed that powerful monsters resided within the Data Storm, and that Playmaker's skill "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]" allowed him to obtain those monsters when his LP was below 1000. Playmaker obtained "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]", which he used to win the Duel. As the Knight fell off his Duel Board, Yusaku declared that the Knight had no right to call himself a Duelist.<ref name="ep2" /> Playmaker attempted to interrogate the Knight, only for the Knight to attempt to kill him by self-destructing. The A.I. saved his life by devouring the Knight's avatar. [[George Gore|The Gore]] and Blue Angel appeared and challenged Playmaker, but he simply said he wasn't interested and logged out. Yusaku and Kolter spent the next few days trying to figure out the A.I's programming, giving him the nickname "Ai". Yusaku discovered some video logs that were actually Ai's memories. Ai claimed that he didn't understand those memories because they were damaged when he was reduced to an eye, but he did recognize the Knights of Hanoi's [[Roken Kogami|leader]]. Later that night, messing with Ai caused the Knight's leader to sense their location and travel there; Yusaku asked Kolter to shut down [[Café Nom]]'s power to prevent them from being found, though he caught a glimpse of the Knight's leader and his [[Borreload Dragon (anime)|dragon]].<ref name="ep3">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|3|ref}}</ref> [[File:VRAINS log in.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku logs into the network.]]The next day a Knight of Hanoi appeared in LINK VRAINS while Ai was at [[Yusaku Fujiki's house|Yusaku's house]], so Yusaku skipped school to get his Duel Disk and face the Knight. On his way there, Kolter gave him the "Decode Talker" card which he had materialized. Upon arriving in LINK VRAINS, Playmaker quickly figured out that the Knight was an impostor. The Knight revealed himself to be The Gore, who wanted to defeat Playmaker and recover his title as "VRAINS' hero". Playmaker rejected his challenged, but SOL Technologies triggered a program that stopped him from logging out until he defeated Gore. With no choice, Playmaker started the Duel. When Gore made an intentional misplay and took damage, Ai questioned why he would make such an illogical move; Playmaker replied that humans' hearts make them do illogical things. Ai was confused by that statement, but Playmaker didn't explain what he meant, claiming that Ai's algorithm-based thinking wouldn't comprehend it.<ref name="ep4">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|4|ref}}</ref> Gore [[Link Summon]]ed "[[Gouki The Great Ogre (anime)|Gouki The Great Ogre]]"<ref name="ep4" /> and reduced Playmaker's LP to 100. Playmaker could've reduced the damage he took but chose not to, and refused to use the escape route that Kolter had built, confusing Ai again. Playmaker stated that Gore's Duel was meant to entertain the audience and his opponent and that he wouldn't quit the Duel. Playmaker proceeded to win by Link Summoning four times in a row and attacking "Great Ogre" [[Link Bumper (anime)|three times]] with "Decode Talker". After the Duel, Kolter suggested they should recruit The Gore for their fight against Hanoi, but Yusaku rejected the idea, saying that he didn't to drag Gore into their fight.<ref name="ep5">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|5|ref}}</ref> Kolter uncovered Skye Zaizen's identity as Blue Angel, and Yusaku realized that Skye was his classmate. Kolter suggested meeting her in order to find out if her brother [[Akira Zaizen]], the Security Manager at SOL Technologies, knew anything about Yusaku's past or [[Jin Kolter|Kolter's brother]]. However, he then started teasing Yusaku that talking to Skye would be impossible because of his lack of social skills. Nevertheless, Yusaku managed to track her down with Ai's help, and he followed her to the [[Duel Club]], where Shima caught up to him. He feigned ignorance when Shima inferred that he wanted to join the club, and when [[Hosoda]] invited him in, he nervously tried to opt out until Ai said thanks on his behalf, which upset him. Yusaku introduced himself to the rest of the club, and the other members introduced themselves as well, including Skye. [[Sato]] showed him his Duel Disk, and Yusaku pretended to be interested, commenting on the fact that it was the latest model. Skye remarked that he knew a lot, but he claimed that it was only because Shima had bragged about it earlier. Skye noticed that Yusaku's Duel Disk was a card-loading model, the same as Playmaker's. When she asked to see his Deck, he obliged, but he handed her his dummy Deck instead. Ai later complimented him for doing so, but Yusaku told him to be quiet, as a meeting was in progress.<ref name="ep6">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|6|ref}}</ref> That evening, he watched Blue Angel issue a public challenge for Playmaker to Duel her. Ai suggested that he should accept, but he refused, since he only approached Skye attempting to acquire a lead on his stolen memories, and he only Dueled against the Knights of Hanoi. Despite this, he was visibly embarrassed when the MC declared that Playmaker wasn't a man if he didn't accept. The next morning, Ai read various posts on social media making fun of Playmaker for not accepting. He soon bumped into Skye again, and they greeted each other. As they walked to class, Skye asked him why he wanted to join the Duel Club, not believing it was because he loved Dueling. Yusaku tried to ask about her brother, she replied that people only ever approached her to ask if her brother could give them a new Duel Disk or a job at SOL after graduation. She lamented that her brother didn't trust her, and ran off. Ai tried to warn Yusaku about a problem he'd noticed with Skye's Duel Disk, but Yusaku wouldn't hear of it.<ref name="ep6" /> In class, Ai claimed that a Knight of Hanoi had appeared. Yusaku went to the balcony behind the Duel Club to enter LINK VRAINS, but instead of a Knight of Hanoi, he found Blue Angel, who remarked that he had finally accepted her challenge. He was initially oblivious, but angered when he realized that Ai had sent Skye a text on Playmaker's behalf challenging her. To his shock, Ai explained that Blue Angel had [[Dark Angel (anime)|a Hanoi card]] in her Deck, and he realized that this was what Ai was trying to tell him earlier. He wondered why Blue Angel would join Hanoi ,and Ai suggested that Hanoi might be using her to lure him, and asked him what he would do, since he wanted to defeat Hanoi. He accepted Blue Angel's challenge, beginning the Duel.<ref name="ep6" /> Playmaker was quickly at the mercy of Blue Angel's [[Trickstar]] Deck, which repeatedly dealt him [[effect damage]] while powering up the [[ATK]] of her ace monster, "[[Trickstar Holly Angel (anime)|Trickstar Holly Angel]]", and he noted that the offensive strategy was very efficient. He Summoned "Decode Talker" and attacked "Holly Angel", but the attack failed and "Decode Talker" was destroyed instead. Ai commented that Blue Angel was putting pressure on them, but Playmaker noticed that Hanoi's presence was getting stronger as Blue Angel drew [[Dark Angel (anime)|her next card]]. Playmaker was reduced to less than 1000 LP, allowing him to use his Skill and gain access to "[[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]", which he promptly Link Summoned. Blue Angel realized that Playmaker was taking advantage of the damage that she was inflicting to him, and tried to end the Duel by using her Skill, but failed because Playmaker was protected by "[[Defect Compiler (anime)|Defect Compiler]]". In response, she played Hanoi's card, "Dark Angel", and immediately fell under their influence. She flew into a berserk rage and started screaming, much to Playmaker's and Ai's concern. He ended the Duel as quickly as possible by destroying "Holly Angel" with "Encode Talker", defeating Blue Angel in one hit, but not before she succumbed to mental damage from "Dark Angel" and fell unconscious.<ref name="ep7">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|7|ref}}</ref> [[File:VRAINSChurch.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku is caught in "Blue Angel's" trap.]]Playmaker found Blue Angel unconscious while Ai devoured the "Dark Angel" card. He was forced to log out when security bots approached them, and he found Skye comatose on the roof of the school. He answered Skye's phone when Zaizen called, and took Skye to the hospital. There, he met Zaizen in person, who thanked him and asked about his relationship with Skye; Yusaku claimed that they were just classmates. Yusaku, Kolter, and Ai later discussed Skye's condition and a possible cure. Ai explained that he detected that Skye's brain must be infected by a virus when he devoured Hanoi's card, and that the only ones with the appropriate anti-virus would be Hanoi themselves. [[Emma Bessho|"Blue Angel"]] then appeared on the [[Den City|city]]'s screens challenging Playmaker to a rematch. Despite knowing that it was an impostor and most likely a trap, Yusaku claimed that it was his responsibility to rescue Skye; if the impostor was a Knight of Hanoi he could get the anti-virus; if it was a SOL agent he could explain them what happened to Skye. After logging in, he identified Blue Angel as a fake, but he was trapped by her as she revealed herself to be "Ghost Gal". Zaizen then logging into LINK VRAINS, and proceeded to torture Playmaker, believing him to be responsible for Skye's condition, despite Playmaker and Ai's claims of innocence. [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] appeared and claimed that he would challenge Playmaker for Ai, threatening that Skye would never wake up unless Playmaker defeated him in a Duel. Zaizen released Playmaker, and Varis departed. Before Playmaker took his leave, Zaizen pleaded with him to save Skye, despite his brutal treatment towards him. Playmaker replied that he didn't hate Akira; he only hated the Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep8">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|8|ref}}</ref> As Playmaker and Varis rode the Data Storm, Playmaker expressed his desire to battle the Knights of Hanoi and uncover their true identities. Varis replied that he didn't care about Playmaker's identity and stated that his only goal was to retrieve the [[Ignis]]; a term that surprised Playmaker. Both sides agreed on the conditions for their Duel: if Playmaker won, they would get the anti-virus, while if Varis won, he would claim Ai. Varis declared his hatred for AIs and his belief that the Ignis would lead everyone to destruction. Varis blamed Playmaker for assisting Ai and swore to eliminate him. Varis then engulfed LINK VRAINS in flames to provide a fitting setting for their Duel.<ref name="ep9">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|9|ref}}</ref> As the Speed Duel progressed, Playmaker defeated Varis's "Cracking Dragon" with "Decode Talker" once more. Varis revealed that he had the same Skill as Playmaker's and Ai's: "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]". With it, Varis summoned "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]", and began to gain the upper hand.<ref name="ep9" /> Fearing they might lose, Ai led Playmaker to another Data Storm, where the two obtained [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|a dragon]]. However, Varis activated the Trap Card, "[[Remote Rebirth (anime)|Remote Rebirth]]", and combined it with the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" by reviving "Capacitor Stalker", ending the Speed Duel in a [[DRAW]].  Following the DRAW, Varis dragged Playmaker and Ai inside the Data Storm, where they began a [[Master Duel]]. Varis played defensively with "[[Fire Prison (anime)|Fire Prison]]" and "[[Linkbelt Wall Dragon (anime)|Linkbelt Wall Dragon]]", limiting Playmaker's moves. He brought out "Encode Talker", but failed to destroy Varis's monsters, and instead set up to Link Summon "Decode Talker" the next turn. However, as soon as he Summoned "Decode Talker", Varis used the effect of "Fire Prison" to eliminate all [[Cyberse]] cards from the field, as well as causing Ai to vanish.<ref name="ep10">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|10|ref}}</ref> Varis explained the Ignis to Playmaker; they were A.I. with free will that he believed would attempt to conquer the world. Playmaker refused to believe him, so Varis Link Summoned "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", the monster Yusaku had seen when Varis had been looking for him, and attacked Playmaker directly. Despite his situation, Playmaker remembered the words someone had told him long ago: three reasons to live and win Duels. Playmaker called out to Ai, asking him to lend him his power, as he proceeded to [[Link Summon]] "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]", and ultimately destroyed "Fire Prison," returning Ai to consciousness. The two of them shared friendly banter, until Varis used the effect of "Borreload Dragon" to take control of "Firewall Dragon". Playmaker countered the attack with "[[Cynet Refresh (anime)|Cynet Refresh]]", destroying and then reviving "Firewall Dragon", before re-Summoning "Encode Talker" as well, declaring that their real battle was just beginning.<ref name="ep11">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|11|ref}}</ref> Playmaker attempted to return "Borreload Dragon" to Varis's hand with the effect of "Firewall Dragon", but Varis informed him that it couldn't be targeted by effects. Playmaker targeted "Magnarokket Dragon" instead, but this triggered its effect to send "Firewall Dragon" to the Graveyard, though Playmaker's "Cynet Refresh" protected his dragon. Varis was amused, and ended his turn. Much to Varis's surprise, Playmaker had "Firewall Dragon", protected by "Encode Talker", attack "Borreload Dragon", who had more ATK. With "Battle Buffer", "Encode Talker's" ATK was raised, impressing Varis. To counter it, Varis reduced the ATK of "Encode Talker" with the effect of "Borrelad Dragon", destroying "Encode Talker". While "Firewall Dragon's" ATK was raised by "Battle Buffer", Varis's "Rokkets" had regained their effects. Varis claimed the match was over, as Playmaker could not attack anymore but, Playmaker [[Recoded Alive (anime)|revived]] "Decode Talker", whose ATK was boosted up to destroy "Borreload Dragon". However, Varis used "Borrel Refrigeration" to make "Magnarokket Dragon" destroy itself to destroy "Decode Talker". Varis smiled, seeing how close he was to his victory, with Playmaker having no cards nor attacks to execute. Playmaker refused to lose, and claimed he wanted to uncover the events that had happened ten years previous, to recover the time he had lost, and to save the person that saved him. Varis was surprised that to learn Playmaker was involved in such an incident, and Playmaker claimed to be the emissary of revenge. Varis claimed Playmaker was a fool to help SOL Technologies without knowing the truth. Playmaker refused to listen, and using "Parallel Port Armor", he had "Firewall Dragon" attack once more, destroying "Borreload Dragon" and defeating Varis.<ref name="ep12" /> Playmaker demanded that Varis reveal his true identity and those of the Knights of Hanoi. To his shock, Ai transformed into a monstrous form and devoured Varis's arm in order to get his data back. Varis fled, but he he gave the anti-virus for Blue Angel's coma to Playmaker. Playmaker accompanied Ghost Gal back to the church where Zaizen and Blue Angel were, using the antidote to cure Blue Angel and allow her to log out of LINK VRAINS. Zaizen thanked him for saving Blue Angel, but Playmaker logged out before he could finish. Exhausted from the Duels, Yusaku asked Kolter if Skye was alright before collapsing and falling asleep. Yusaku dreamed about Varis's words regarding Ignis with free will, which caused him to wake up. Kolter sensed he was thinking about what Varis told him. Ai defiantly claimed that he was indeed alive, and he used the program he obtained from Varis to regain his full body. However Ai's size didn't impress Yusaku and Kolter, who tried to determine if Ai regained some of his memories.<ref name="ep12">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|12|ref}}</ref> As Yusaku was eating hot dogs, he witnessed [[Emma Bessho]] visiting Café Nom, who mentioned that she was interested in Dueling Playmaker, intriguing Yusaku. After Emma left, Yusaku noted how stressed Kolter was and decided to help him delete the files regarding Playmaker. As they were deleting files, Kolter asked where Ai was; Yusaku explained that he left Ai at home because he was annoying. Yusaku mused on the idea of AI with free will, and knowing that Varis had unleashed the attack on the Cyberse and searched for Ai, Yusaku deduced that Varis had destroyed the Cyberse. He wondered if it was wise to seek Varis out for answers about his past and about Kolter's brother. He then inadvertently deleted a big scoop that would have revealed everything Playmaker and Kolter knew involving Ai and the Knights of Hanoi had [[Frog (character)|Frog]] and [[Pigeon]] been able to publish it.<ref name="ep13">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|13|ref}}</ref> At home Yusaku continued to dwell on Varis's words in his hidden room. Kolter called him to Cafe Nom, where he showed him an encrypted message sent to him from Ghost Gal. Kolter explained that he had created a program to help Ghost Gal enter the Data Storm during the Duel with Varis. Ghost Gal had requested a Duel with Playmaker, with Ai as the wager. Yusaku accepted, stating that she offered a backdoor to SOL Technologies' data bank. Ghost Gal soon entered LINK VRAINS, and as Yusaku prepared to log in, Kolter wondered if Yusaku would really Duel her, since she could've set another trap. Yusaku replied he had to uncover the truth behind the Incident, and hoped in that the data bank contained information about Knights of Hanoi. He noted that he sensed some determination in Ghost Gal, despite her weaknesses.<ref name="ep14">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|14|ref}}</ref> Playmaker quickly met up with Ghost Gal, and she showed him the backdoor program she'd set as her stake for the Duel. Playmaker wondered why she wouldn't she access the data bank, and she explained that she wanted Ai so she could sell him to SOL Technologies. She admitted she grew more interested in Playmaker after his latest Duel, and wanted to battle him as a cyber treasure hunter. Despite Ai's warnings, Playmaker accepted her Duel. Ghost Gal blocked Playmaker's attacks with her "[[Altergeist]]" [[Trap Card]]s and "[[Altergeist Kunquery (anime)|Altergeist Kunquery]], and then Link Summoned "[[Altergeist Primebanshee (anime)|Altergeist Primebanshee]]", aiming to defeat Playmaker before he could use his Skill.<ref name="ep14" /> Playmaker was able to block the attack with "[[Lockout Gardna (anime)|Lockout Gardna]]", and Ai attempted to fool Ghost Gal into attacking so that they would be able to use Storm Access, but Ghost Gal refused to attack. Ai was in shock, and Playmaker told him his acting was horrible. On Playmaker's turn, Playmaker attempted to destroy "Primebanshee" with "[[Backlinker (anime)|Backlinker]]", but [[Altergeist Protocol (anime)|Ghost Gal blocked]] his move. Ghost Gal claimed she could anticipate their every move, and prevented Playmaker from [[Striping Partner (anime)|reviving]] "Backlinker". Playmaker Link Summoned "[[Underclock Taker (anime)|Underclock Taker]]" and tried to weaken "Primebanshee", but Ghost Gal countered with "[[Altergeist Camouflage (anime)|Altergeist Camouflage]]", protecting "Primebanshee" from attacks, claiming that Playmaker had reached his limits. Playmaker paid 1000 LP to activate the effect of "Balancer Lord", lowering his LP enough to use Storm Access, but Ghost Gal refused to let him activate the Skill and used her own Skill, Secret Cure to increase both players' LP. Despite this, was able to lower his LP enough with "[[Scan Doll]]", while also copying Ghost Gal's "Altergeist Protocol" to camouflage his "[[Altergeist Silquitous (anime)|Altergeist Silquitous]]". Playmaker used Storm Access, and Ghost Gal pursued him into the Data Storm, but she lost control of her Duel Board and fell off it. Playmaker saved her and reminded her their Duel was not over yet and let her go back on the Duel Board. Playmaker Link Summoned his newly-acquired "[[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]", whose effect rendered two of Ghost Gal's Main Monster Zones unusable, and Tributed "Scan Doll" to allow "Excode Talker" attack twice. As all of Ghost Gal's monsters could not be attacked, "Excode Talker" could attack Ghost Gal directly, winning Playmaker the Duel. Ghost Gal gave Playmaker the program to enter SOL Technologies' data bank, and left. Yusaku logged out, and Kolter started to analyze the program as Yusaku fell asleep.<ref name="ep15">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|15|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker in the mother computer.png|thumb|left|250px|Playmaker infiltrates the mother computer system.]]Kolter showed Yusaku the maze-like schematics to the data bank, and they wondered how skilled Ghost Gal was to have managed to hack into SOL Technologies' data bank, and Kolter promised he would finish by the time school was over. While at school, Yusaku wondered where Skye was, and he and Ai deduced that her brother forbade her from entering LINK VRAINS to protect her. Ai commented that Yusaku actually cared about her; Yusaku replied that one should not give up on Dueling this way. After school, Kolter showed Yusaku the path to the data bank, but warned him a lot of traps were set to stop anyone. Yusaku hesitantly noted that Ghost Gal also wanted something if she gave him the program, even if the information Yusaku could find there may not be that important. Regardless, he logged into LINK VRAINS to enter the mother computer system. To protect himself, Playmaker used a device to navigate himself, and a rope to disguise him from security programs. Once the security programs started to go after Playmaker, he launched three "[[Sphere Kuriboh (anime)|Sphere Kuriboh]]" to shatter them without alerting anyone. Passing the first corridor, Playmaker arrived in the second, where a Data Storm was located that drew Playmaker it, breaking his rope and triggering two prototype AI to hunt him down. Playmaker attempted to evade them, but [[Prototype Green-A|one of the AIs]] caught up with him, and initiated a Speed Duel. The AI brought out "[[Tentacluster Nautilus]]", and Tributed his "[[Tentacluster Drillworm]]" to discard Playmaker's hand. [[Prototype Red-B|The other AI prototype]] arrived and started attacking Playmaker, intent on grabbing his Duel Disk. Much to his surprise Blue Angel arrived, using her whip to prevent the AI from grabbing his Duel Disk, and she claimed that she would be the one to defeat Playmaker and started a Speed Duel with the other AI.<ref name="ep16">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|16|ref}}</ref> Blue Angel explained that she had come to repay him for curing her. Playmaker claimed he never indebted her; regardless, Blue Angel started her Duel with the other AI prototype. Playmaker was able to use the cards in his Graveyard to Special Summon several monsters and reduce his LP to 1000 LP, allowing him to use Storm Access to acquire and Link Summon "[[Vector Scare Archfiend (anime)|Vector Scare Archfiend]]", while also summoning "Cyberse Wizard". Using the effect of "Vector Scare Archfiend", he attacked several times, defeating the AI. Playmaker entered the Data Bank, and was surprised to find Zaizen and Ghost Gal waiting for him.<ref name="ep17">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|17|ref}}</ref>  [[File:Playmaker at data bank.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker reaches the data bank.]]Playmaker asked Ghost Gal and Zaizen why they were in the data bank. Ghost Gal explained that they were after the data, and Playmaker realized that he was just used as a decoy for them to enter the data bank. He ordered Zaizen to move aside, but Zaizen refused and informed him that he had learned what happened to Playmaker ten years previously. Zaizen claimed he had the right to know about the Incident and Playmaker asked him to hand the data over. Zaizen instead asked Playmaker to hand over the Ignis and leave, wanting to shed some light over the Incident, but Playmaker claimed that he would be the one to reveal the truth since it didn't personally involve Zaizen. He challenged Zaizen to a Master Duel, betting Ai for the data, and Zaizen accepted, seeing this as the only way to defeat Playmaker.<ref name="ep18">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|18|ref}}</ref> [[File:Yusaku furious.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku becoming furious at Zaizen]]Playmaker quickly Link Summoned "Decode Talker", but as he prepared his offence, Zaizen brought out "[[Tindangle Hound (anime)|Tindangle Hound]]" to weaken his linked monsters and used "[[Lemoine Point]]" to prevent Playmaker from attacking face-down monsters. Playmaker countered by Link Summoning "[[Flame Administrator (anime)|Flame Administrator]]", whose effect increased the ATK of "Decode Talker" past that of "Tindangle Hound". Akira flipped "[[Tindangle Angel (anime)|Tindangle Angel]]", reviving "Tindangle Hound" face-down and ending Playmaker's Battle Phase. Zaizen spoke about his and Skye's past, claiming that he knew their pain and asking them to leave fighting the Hanoi to him. Kolter and Playmaker became furious, claiming that Zaizen understood nothing about them. Zaizen [[Flip Summon]]ed "Tindangle Hound", and Set "Tindangle Angel", weakening Playmaker's monsters again and destroying "Flame Administrator". Playmaker used "[[Limit Code (anime)|Limit Code]]" to bring out "Encode Talker", and then he used it to Link Summon "Firewall Dragon".<ref name="ep18" /> Although the effect of "Tindangle Hound" reduced the ATK of "Firewall Dragon", Playmaker destroyed Zaizen's monsters with "[[Linkage Hole (anime)|Linkage Hole]]". "Decode Talker" landed a direct attack, but Zaizen destroyed it with "[[Tindangle Delaunay (anime)|Tindangle Delaunay]]", and brought out his ace, "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus (anime)|Tindangle Acute Cerberus]]". It attacked "Firewall Dragon", which Playmaker protected with "[[Doppler Phase Coating]]". Zaizen protected his own monster with "[[Gergonne's End (anime)|Gergonne's End]]", and Playmaker noted that Zaizen's Deck was quite difficult to figure out with such complex strategies. Playmaker tried to end the Duel by attacking Zaizen's "[[Tindangle Token]]", but Zaizen prevented the damage with "[[Morley's Shield]]", then used "[[Nagel's Protection (anime)|Nagel's Protection]]" to protect his Tokens. "Tindangle Acute Cerberus" attacked "Firewall Dragon" again, reducing Playmaker to 500 LP. Ai yelled at Playmaker to do something, and wondered if there was anything to be done to get them out of their situation. Playmaker told Ai to stop panicking, and the two traded barbs. Playmaker swore he would not lose, as he wished to uncover the truth. He claimed that his Deck contained his feelings over the past ten years. Playmaker drew a card and Set it. Zaizen asked Playmaker to stop this revenge and cherish his memories, rather than trying to uncover the truth, which Zaizen would reveal. He claimed Playmaker was too conceited in the past, and he would not feel happiness, just as Zaizen himself hadn't. Blue Angel, who had been watching the Duel for a while, revealed her presence and asked to hear about Playmaker's past. Against Playmaker's wishes, Zaizen spoke about the Lost Incident, mentioning that Playmaker had been rescued at its conclusion. Playmaker claimed that he was never rescued due to the trauma that he suffered, and swore that he would uncover the truth for the sake of the families hurt in the Incident, and that he would rescue the person whose voice had encouraged him to fight if he was still trapped. Playmaker noted that even though Zaizen believed revenge was pointless, he had still discovered that the Knights of Hanoi had been involved in the Lost Incident, also known as the [[Hanoi Project]]. Zaizen then revealed that SOL Technologies' data bank contained the name of the mastermind behind the Hanoi Project, much to Playmaker's shock.<ref name="ep19" /> Playmaker demanded the name of the mastermind, but Zaizen refused to reveal it, fearing this would only feed Playmaker's hatred and desire for revenge. Zaizen attempted to conclude the Duel by attacking "Firewall Dragon" with "Acute Cerberus", but Playmaker avoided the defeat by banishing his dragon with "[[Cynet Backdoor (anime)|Cynet Backdoor]]", triggering the effect of "Doppler Phase Coating" to end the Battle Phase. Zaizen turned the tables by preventing Playmaker from attacking "[[Euler's Circuit (anime)|Euler's Circuit]]", which would also allow him to Summon a "Tindangle" monster to Playmaker's field to complete his combo. Playmaker brought out "Link Spider", "[[Recovery Sorcerer (anime)|Recovery Sorcerer]]" and "[[Security Gardna (anime)|Security Gardna]]". Zaizen pointed out the pointlessness of summoning the monsters, as Playmaker was unable to attack. As Playmaker had Summoned "Security Gardna" to the Zone that "Tindangle Acute Cerberus" pointed to, Zaizen used "Gergonne's End" to destroy the monsters that "Acute Cerberus" pointed to, inflicting the ATK of "Acute Cerberus" to Playmaker, but Playmaker survived with the effect of "Security Gardna", which prevented all effect damage during that turn and destroyed "Euler's Circuit", allowing Playmaker to attack. Despite his advantage, Playmaker used "Recovery Sorcerer" to bring back "Security Gardna". Ai questioned this, as Playmaker could simply attack directly with "Firewall Dragon", and Playmaker claimed that a Duel was more than just winning or losing. He used the effect of "Firewall Dragon" to return Akira's "Tindangle Hound" and "Tindangle Angel" from the Graveyard to his hand, reducing the ATK of "Tindangle Acute Cerberus" to 0, before destroying it with "Firewall Dragon", defeating Zaizen. Playmaker walked past the Zaizen siblings and had Ai devour SOL Technologies' data. Before leaving, Playmaker asked Zaizen not to follow him, or else he'd walk the path of darkness. Zaizen asked why Playmaker didn't attack directly with "Firewall Dragon", and he explained "Tindangle Hound" and "Tindangle Angel" represented Akira and his sister, who he believed should turn around and walk to the light rather than remain in the Graveyard. He tansported to his Duel Board and logged out. Outside, Kolter praised Yusaku and Ai. The two hacked into Ai, and found out the Hanoi Project's leader was [[Kiyoshi Kogami|Dr. Kiyoshi Kogami]], an employee from SOL Technologies, who worked on the Project alone in secrecy. The two concluded that SOL Technologies covered up the Incident to prevent the company's reputation from being ruined. Ai doubted that Dr. Kogami could have done this on his own, and suggested that Zaizen was involved, but Kolter reminded him that Zaizen had been 16 back then and not employed at SOL Technologies at the time. Kolter and Yusaku failed to find the Project's goal in the data, but to their shock they discovered Dr. Kogami had died seven years ago.<ref name="ep20">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|20|ref}}</ref> With the food truck positioned at the coast, Yusaku was doing research. Kolter invited him for a break, and gazed upon the ocean. Yusaku pointed out Kolter won't get many customers at that place, but Kolter assured him the famous coast was named [[Stardust Road]], known for the luminous plankton that rarely gather at night, and thought the person living near the coast may have seen that. Kolter failed to gather new info from SOL Technologies' data, and Yusaku saw that data from ten years ago was actually deleted. Still, they knew the company was involved, even if Akira knew nothing about the incident before. Kolter felt a bit relieved that Dr. Kogami passed away, thinking their revenge was over. Yusaku reminded him they still didn't know about the goal of the incident, and Kolter still wanted to rescue his brother from darkness, even if they had no clue where to continue. Yusaku still remembered Varis knew some things. Kolter stated Varis was not seen recently, but Yusaku believed he was not the type that would simply disappear.<ref name="ep21">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|21|ref}}</ref> Playmaker and Ai watched an eclipse blocking the virtual sun in LINK VRAINS. Ai recalled that people in the ancient past were scared of such events, and was surprised that even today people were still afraid. Playmaker replied that people had remained the same, unlike technology that advances. He likened the eclipse to the Lost Incident, vowing that he would not let the incident be buried in darkness and to uncover the truth. Later, Yusaku was at school, remembering the person who saved him. Shima talked to him about the [[Deleted]], and Ai noted the phenomenon's similarities to Blue Angel's coma, but Yusaku shushed him, since Shima could hear him. Shima doubted Yusaku would become a victim, as they were usually promising Duelists, and Yusaku advised Shima to stay away from his Duel Disk. At Café Nom, Kolter showed Ai and Yusaku the footage of a person being Deleted, which happened six minutes before midnight. Kolter told them the person had not recovered yet, and showed them pictures of more Deleted patients in hospitals. Ai and Yusaku knew this was the same condition that Blue Angel had been infected by.<ref name="ep22">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|22|ref}}</ref> Analyzing what the victims had in common, Yusaku and Kolter realized that the victims were all skilled Duelists and hackers with old models of Duel Disk; the perpetrators were looking for Playmaker and Ai. Deciding that they needed to stop more people from being Deleted, they looked at a list of possible targets and Yusaku visited the house of [[Mackendrick Kellenbocker]], but arrived too late to prevent [[Dr. Genome|a Knight of Hanoi]] from Deleting Mackendrick after the Knight realized that he did not have an Ignis. The Gore saved Mackendrick's body, and confronted the Knight, Dr. Genome, who confirmed that he was attempting to draw Playmaker out. Yusaku alerted the paramedics and went with Mackendrick to the hospital, where he heard Gore swear to defeat Dr. Genome. Gore met Yusaku in person for the first time, believing he was concerned for his schoolmate, and Yusaku introduced himself before leaving. That night, the Knights of Hanoi] attacked and Deleted more Duelists, and Yusaku decided to log in and stop them. To their surprise, someone disguised as Playmaker defeated the Knights of Hanoi and drew out Dr. Genome. The imposter revealed themselves as The Gore, claiming he knew Playmaker's identity and betting it on a Duel with Genome in exchange for the cure to Mackendrick's Deleted virus. Yusaku did not know if Gore really knew his identity, but was still frustrated. The group watched as Dr. Genome activated the Data Gale, conjuring black tornadoes for the Speed Duel.<ref name="ep22"/> As the Speed Duel continued, Gore donned a mask and declared himself as "Grim Gore", Ai thought it was tacky, but Yusaku and Kolter realized that Gore changed his battling style to that of a heel. Despite the advantages he gained, Grim Gore was nearly defeated by Genome, and after Ai suggested Yusaku log in and save Gore, Yusaku did so after Grim Gore barely kept himself in the Duel.<ref name="ep23">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|23|ref}}</ref> Playmaker logged in and he motivated Grim Gore in a sarcastic manner, and Grim Gore performed a face turn and defeated Genome. Gore realized that Playmaker hadn't come to mock him, but to motivate him. He suggested an alliance with Playmaker and the watching Blue Angel to defeat the Knights of Hanoi, and Playmaker accepted, though Blue Angel abstained. The next day Yusaku didn't go to school and teamed up with Gore, defeating various Knights of Hanoi. After defeating a Knight, Playmaker and Ai interrogated him about the Deleted removal program, but the Knight was erased before he could explain. Gore then asked Playmaker about Blue Angel's whereabouts, but Playmaker didn't know where she was, and they discussed [[Baira|the creator]] of the removal program. Sometime later Yusaku, Ai and Kolter watched [[Kitamura]]'s public announcement of an army of A.I. Duelists he had developed to confront the Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep24">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|24|ref}}</ref> As the Deleted crisis continued, Kolter determined that the Knights of Hanoi would soon find Playmaker if they took over LINK VRAINS, though Yusaku believed they could prevent that by looking into the origins of Deleted virus. Despite their attempts, their work proved fruitless, and it was Blue Angel who ended up finding the virus's creator, Baira. Resuming their search through footage of the Deleted, they spotted Baira present at one of the events,<ref name="ep25">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|25|ref}}</ref> and they managed to determine her real identity; Klarissa Turner, a doctor from Den City Hospital. Yusaku and Ai went to Klarissa's apartment, bypassing her security robot with Kolter's help, and they found her logged into LINK VRAINS as Blue Angel defeated her. Kolter arrived and they witnessed the Deleted being cured and logging out of LINK VRAINS due to Barira releasing the removal program. Baira appeared to log out, and Yusaku and Kolter prepared to interrogate her, but she remained comatose and they saw Varis reaching towards her on her viewscreen, apparently purging her.<ref name="ep26">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|26|ref}}</ref> Despite the Deleted being cured, Yusaku remained worried as he'd only fought the Knights of Hanoi inside LINK VRAINS and there was still one last Commander. At school the next day Yusaku spoke with Shima, who wished to battle the Knights of Hanoi alongside Playmaker and Blue Angel. Yusaku tried to dissuade Shima, who became furious and stormed out, and Ai stated that Yusaku went too far on him. To Yusaku's surprise when he headed to Café Nom that afternoon, Kolter revealed that someone called "The Brave Battler" had played his "Cyberse Wizard" card. Yusaku showed his "Cyberse Wizard", and Ai touched it and sensed that the data from the card was missing. Ai suggested that The Brave Battler was the mastermind they were looking for and that he'd a Knight of Hanoi to lure Playmaker out, but they soon realized that The Brave Battler was Shima. Yusaku feared Shima would be in danger if the Knights of Hanoi learned that he used a Cyberse card. Sure enough, Yusaku and Kolter found The Brave Battler with the Commander in question, [[Faust]], who called out Playmaker to Duel him, while to Yusaku's surprise, The Brave Battler claimed to have received "Cyberse Wizard" from Playmaker. Yusaku went to get his Duel Disk, but found it gone; Ai had gone to search for Shima in the Duel Disk, which Roboppi had modified into a drone. Yusaku realized that Ai knew this would happen, and Ai acted offended that Yusaku was accusing him. Ai showed them the location where Shima was held captive, then returned to Café Nom as it was en route, and Yusaku and Ai logged in to LINK VRAINS.<ref name="ep27">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|27|ref}}</ref> Playmaker assured The Brave Battler that he'd face Faust. Before he did, The Brave Battler returned "Cyberse Wizard" to Playmaker. Playmaker noted that Faust was the final Deleted mastermind, and accused him of stealing the data of "Cyberse Wizard" and giving it to The Brave Battler to lure him out. But Faust claimed that he had not done so, and Ai assured Playmaker that it wasn't important, as they only had to defeat Faust. Faust declared that his mission was to retrieve Ignis, and he used the Data Storm to conjure a stage for their Speed Duel and prevent Playmaker from logging out. Faust went all-out from the start, Link Summoning "[[Motor Worm Spreader Queen]]" and powering it up with "[[Motor Worm Token]]s". Playmaker opposed it with "Decode Talker" and "Cyberse Wizard", but Faust was able to protect "Spreader Queen" from "Decode Talker" with "[[Wormhole Defense]]", though its ATK was lowered enough for "Cyberse Wizard" to defeat "Spreader Queen". Faust simply revived "Spreader Queen" with "[[Worm Revival]]", then used "[[Egg Clutch]]" to turn "Cyberse Wizard" into an [[Insect]] monster and boost the ATK of "Spreader Queen". The presence of only Insect monsters on their field would allow Faust to attack them directly, but Ai pointed out they still had the Cyberse "Decode Talker". Faust destroyed "Decode Talker", then used his Skill "[[Double Bite]]" to allow "Spreader Queen" to attack once more and finish Playmaker off.<ref name="ep28">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|28|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker takes out Powercode Talker.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker uses "Storm Access" in the Data Storm.]]Playmaker was blasted into a building, but barely survived by halving the damage with "[[Urgent Link]]". He attempted to Link Summon, but Faust's "Wormhole Defense" prevented the Insect Tokens from being used as Link Material. Faust declared he would obtain the Ignis on his next turn, but Playmaker turned things around with "[[Cybersal Cyclone (anime)|Cybersal Cyclone]]", allowing him to destroy "Wormhole Defense". Faust declared he still wouldn't lose, though Playmaker made him doubt his words when he went into the Data Storm to use "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]", obtaining and Link Summoning "[[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]". Playmaker negated the effects of "Spreader Queen" to reduce her ATK, then he prepared to attack. Faust tried to warn him of Ignis being a threat, but Ai told Playmaker to ignore Faust, and Playmaker doubled the ATK of "Powercode Talker", who destroyed "Motor Worm Spreader Queen" and defeated Faust. Before vanishing, Faust tried to warn Playmaker that he may have just doomed the future of humanity. Playmaker repeated Faust's final words, which Ai didn't claim to know anything about. Before logging out, Playmaker told The Brave Battler he should seek his own path if he was brave enough. Yusaku found Shima in the real world, who had been released when Faust lost the Duel. Shima was glad to see that Yusaku came to rescue him, and told him about Playmaker's ordeals. While Shima was talking, Yusaku concluded Faust didn't want Shima to be Deleted, and that Ai could have been the one that sent "Cyberse Wizard" to Shima.<ref name="ep28" /> Despite the defeat of the three Commanders and the conclusion of the Deleted incident, Yusaku still remained uneasy, as Varis remained unaccounted for.<ref name="ep28"/> Yusaku and Ai sensed something wrong in LINK VRAINS on their way to school one day via their Link Sense, and then again after Kolter served a customer at the Stardust Road as Yusaku wondered why Varis hadn't made any recent appearances. (In the dub, they saw visions of an energy sphere.) Yusaku asked Kolter to scan the network, and just as Yusaku and Ai sensed another pulse, Kolter discovered that the LINK VRAINS infrastructure was changing. Yusaku decided to log in, uneasy about Varis's absence and believing that something big was about to happen. As Playmaker searched through LINK VRAINS, Ai tried to convince him that they should return, but Playmaker refused to be dissuaded and they sensed another pulse. Spotting some data fireflies, Playmaker traced them to an alleyway.<ref name="ep30">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|30|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker runs in sewers.png|thumb|250px|left|Playmaker runs from the data monster.]]Ghost Gal arrived, and she wasn't particularly pleased to see Ai and Playmaker present, confirming that the fireflies were hers. Playmaker warned her that the path ahead was dangerous and advised her to log out, but Ghost Gal refused, stating that the reward would thus be greater. The data fireflies opened a path into LINK VRAINS' data sewers, and they came to a fork in the path. Ai suggested they settle the decision of who went what way with a game, which amused Ghost Gal. Playmaker watched Ai and Ghost Gal's game to choose a "lovely" card from her Deck, well aware that the game was rigged so that Ai would chose a wrong card. Sure enough, Ghost Gal won the game and allowed Playmaker to go down the left path. Ai was depressed to learn he'd been cheated, but Playmaker reminded him of the importance of their mission, and they continued on. As they moved through the data sewers, they were attacked by a data monster that chased them through the sewers.<ref name="ep30"/> They eventually came to a dead end, but just as the data monster approached them, it was destroyed by a [[Mirror Force (later anime)|bright light]] that blasted through the floor. Realizing that they must be above the anomaly, Playmaker leaped through the crack and Ai noted it was the path that Ghost Gal had taken. They came to a data processing plant, finding Ghost Gal and Varis Speed Dueling around a sphere of energy, and they two watched as Ghost Gal was defeated by Varis's "[[Topologic Trisbaena (anime)|Topologic Trisbaena]]". Playmaker swore to save her, but Ghost Gal claimed she was too pathetic for a professional and gave Playmaker the data she had acquired on the sphere. Ghost Gal then started disintegrating, and she warned Playmaker Varis's terrifying new card before she disappeared, her data absorbed by the energy sphere. Varis confronted Playmaker, who demanded to know what had happened to Ghost Gal. Varis claimed she had become a foundation for the Tower of Hanoi, which he proceeded to begin. He revealed that the only way to stop it was by defeating him, and fled as the Tower began destroying the plant. Enraged, Playmaker attempted to tear down the bars between him and Varis, forcing Ai to use the emergency logout to save them.<ref name="ep31">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|31|ref}}</ref> Yusaku, Kolter, and Ai watched as the Tower of Hanoi appeared in LINK VRAINS, absorbing data of all kinds, buildings, roads, and even all the Avatar's in the vicinity. Kolter analyzed Ghost Gal's data, showing the Tower of Hanoi. Yusaku remembered Varis's words, and deduced if the Hanoi's game was over, the world would be destroyed. Kolter continued analyzing the data, and he explained that the Tower would craft a ring of data every hour, and when the Tower was completed, it would release a pulse of high-density data that would destroy every piece of technology connected to the network. Ai believed they'd be safe if they didn't enter the network, but Yusaku stated that Varis likely would have thought of this, and Kolter confirmed that the data pulse would also repurpose mainframes into EMP devices that would affect technology even if it wasn't connected to the network. They realized that Varis was going so far just to erase the Ignis. Later, they witnessed Kitamura Dueling a Knight of Hanoi, [[Spectre]], who defeated Kitamura, resulting in Kitamura's data being absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi. Spectre threatened anyone that dared enter LINK VRAINS with the same fate, and Yusaku swore to stop the Knights of Hanoi by shutting down the Tower. Kolter warned him there were no Data Storms in LINK VRAINS, except near the Tower of Hanoi.<ref name="ep32">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|32|ref}}</ref> This did not stop Yusaku, who wished to end his feud with Varis, and he logged in to LINK VRAINS. He quickly met up with The Gore and Blue Angel, who stated that they were fighting for everyone in LINK VRAINS. Playmaker explained that he had come to stop the Tower of Hanoi, rescue Ghost Gal and confront the Varis, and Blue Angel was shocked to hear that Ghost Gal had been defeated. Gore asked about the data Ghost Gal gave to Playmaker, and Playmaker explained that Varis intended to destroy LINK VRAINS using the Tower of Hanoi. Blue Angel realized if the network would be destroyed, then all the people absorbed would be destroyed too, and Ai added it would prevent him from being erased. Gore asked how to stop the tower, and Playmaker explained that they needed to defeat Varis. Ai warned them that they only had six hours before the Tower was completed. Gore and Blue Angel promised to go there, but Playmaker stated it was better if they stayed safe. This actually motivated Gore and Blue Angel even more, and Playmaker claimed not to care, but asked them to be careful. He warned them of Varis's powerful new card, and they promised to meet up against and approached the Tower from different directions.<ref name="ep32"/> [[File:The whirlwind.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker looks at the whirlwind from afar.]]On his way to the Tower of Hanoi, Playmaker rescued a boy dressed as him from a collapsing building, who had believed [[Frog (character)|Frog]] and [[Pigeon]] to be Knights of Hanoi. Playmaker asked the boy to log out while he protected LINK VRAINS, and the boy did so, stating that he believed in Playmaker.<ref name="ep33">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|33|ref}}</ref> Ai recorded the five hour mark before the Tower of Hanoi was completed, and Playmaker swore to end the crises by defeating Varis, prompting Ai to cheer for them. As they continued on, they saw a twister in the distance where Blue Angel had headed.<ref name="ep34">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|34|ref}}</ref> Playmaker and Ai arrived at a bridge that was beginning to be absorbed by the Tower, and Ai noted they had to cross it to get to the Tower. Ai suggested conjuring a Data Storm, but Playmaker warned him that the Tower would just absorb that data too and hasten the tower's completion.<ref name="ep35">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|35|ref}}</ref> Before they could cross the bridge, they were opposed by Spectre. Spectre proclaimed that he would crush them on Varis's orders as he had Blue Angel, shocking Playmaker and Ai, and Spectre boasted that he defeated her without even having to use his full strength. Spectre commented that Blue Angel had talked about "blue love", which Ai did not understand. Spectre showed them data fragments of Blue Angel, claiming that she had no power to save him, and he promised that the same fate would befall Playmaker. Spectre began their Duel by Summoning "[[Sunseed Genius Loci (anime)|Sunseed Genius Loci]]" and using it to Link Summon "[[Sunavalon Dryas (anime)|Sunavalon Dryas]]", and Setting a card. Playmaker recalled Blue Angel's burn tactics, and the speed with which Spectre had defeated her. Ai declared that he was very dangerous too and noted that Spectre's monster did not look very offensive. Playmaker asked Spectre why he fought, and Spectre claimed he fought for Varis. Playmaker tried to persuade Spectre to step down, believing that he did not know about Varis's plan, but Spectre confirmed he knew what Varis intended and that he would stand by his side regardless. Playmaker claimed that Spectre did not understand Varis, and that an outsider of the Lost Incident like Spectre had no reason to be involved. Spectre explained that he did understand the Lost Incident, revealing that he was one of the six children that were kidnapped as Playmaker had been.<ref name="ep35"/> Playmaker was shocked, and protested that the Knights had committed atrocities against Spectre, but Spectre claimed that the Incident entertained him, as it made him feel important, and Varis gave him a place where he could belong among the Knights of Hanoi. Spectre wondered if he was weird, but thought Playmaker's sense of justice made him even stranger. Ai reminded Playmaker that he was nothing like Spectre, and reminded him that the Tower would continue growing while they wasted time. Spectre dared Playmaker to defeat him, and Playmaker Link Summoned "[[Binary Sorceress (anime)|Binary Sorceress]]", "[[Multi Sledgehammer]]" and "[[Binary Blader (anime)|Binary Blader]]", and as he could not attack "Dryas", he attacked Spectre directly with "Binary Sorceress", only for Spectre to replenish his LP by Special Summoning "[[Sunvine Gardna (anime)|Sunvine Gardna]]". Spectre explained about the tree that had protected him when he was a baby, and declared that he began distrusting society when the tree was cut down, and that he now served Varis.<ref name="ep35"/> He proclaimed that as long as the tree was on the field, nobody could defeat him and that Ignis and LINK VRAINS would be erased. Playmaker reminded Spectre that he would be erased too, but Spectre merely wished to fulfill Varis's goal and he claimed that Playmaker would never understand their goals as long as he chased after revenge. Playmaker continued attacking, supporting his other attacks with the effects of "Binary Sorceress", restoring his own LP as well, but Spectre [[Sunavalon Glorious Growth|evolved]] "Dryas" into "[[Sunavalon Dryanome (anime)|Sunavalon Dryanome]]" in the middle of Playmaker's Battle Phase and restored his own LP. Playmaker realized that Spectre's Deck was defense-oriented, and attacked again with "Binary Blader", but once again Spectre's "Sunavalon Glorious Growth" and "Sunvine Gardna" restored his LP and lowered Playmaker's back to 4000. But Playmaker had planned for a single final strike, using the attacks of his monsters to increase the ATK of "Multi Sledgehammer" to 4000.<ref name="ep36">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|36|ref}}</ref> Ai praised Playmaker's brilliant strategy, but Spectre warned them that it wasn't perfect; "Sunavalon Glorious Growth" redirected the attack to "Sunvine Gardna", who reduced the damage and Spectre performed his combo once more. Spectre declared his belief that he had the Duel won as Playmaker fought for revenge while Spectre was helping Varis save the world. Spectre went on the offensive with "[[Sunvine Thrasher (anime)|Sunvine Thrasher]]" and took control of "Binary Blader" to destroy Playmaker's monsters. Ai warned Playmaker that he was losing, but Playmaker explained that Spectre could no longer use the effect of "Sunavalon Dryanome", for all of the zones it pointed to were occupied, but Spectre Link Summoned "[[Sunavalon Daphne (anime)|Sunavalon Daphne]]", expanding his available zones. The bridge began to be erased, but "Dryanome" stabilized it, allowing the Duel to continue. Spectre used "[[Sunavalon Force]]" to render "Dryanome" immune to effects, but Playmaker brought out "Excode Talker" and "Underclock Taker", locking down Spectre's two Main Monster Zones and reducing the ATK of "Sunvine Thrasher". As Ai gloated that they would win, Spectre revealed that Zaizen had been imprisoned in LINK VRAINS, threatening to use his prison to infect him with a virus. Playmaker and were angry that Spectre was cheating by dragging people that weren't even involved into their Duel, but Spectre accused Playmaker of involving man more people in the current crisis, including the Zaizens.<ref name="ep36"/> Although Zaizen and Ai both told Playmaker not to listen to Spectre, Playmaker ended his turn without attacking. Spectre mocked Playmaker over his desire for revenge and his simultaneous virtue, and he counterattacked with "Thrasher", destroying "Underclock Taker" and reducing Playmaker's LP to 900. Ai panicked as the bridge continued collapsing<ref name="ep36"/> and Spectre lamented that he could not defeat Playmaker as the bridge was collapsing. Playmaker manipulated Spectre into stabilizing the bridge again to continue the Duel, though Spectre believed Playmaker would be unable to win and dared him to attack and risk Zaizen's life. Zaizen told Playmaker to attack, else Skye's sacrifice would have been for nothing, but again Playmaker simply Set a card and played defensively, protecting "Excode Talker" with various card effects and refusing to use the offensive effect of his "[[Overload Anchor]]" card. Spectre Link Summoned "[[Sunavalon Dryatrentiay (anime)|Sunavalon Dryatrentiay]]" and used its effect destroy Playmaker's defensive Spell and Trap Cards, then brought out another "Sunvine Thrasher", whose ATK became 4000. Ai was worried by the high ATK, but relieved that Spectre's monsters in the Main Monster Zones could not attack the turn he used "Dryatrentiay's" effect. Playmaker reminded Ai that Spectre had Summoned the high ATK "Thrasher" for a reason, and Spectre commended Playmaker for his observation, as "Dryatrentiay" gained the ATK of the monsters it pointed to when it attacked. But Playmaker had been waiting for that move, and he activated "[[Link Surge Counter]]" to make the ATK of "Excode Talker" equal to that of "Sunavalon Dryatrentiay", and both monsters were destroyed, though the effect of "Sunavalon Force" reduced Playmaker to 50 LP. Ai praised Playmaker for avoiding defeat, and the destruction of "Sunavalon Dryatrentiay" broke Spectre's combo and sent him into a rage. Playmaker stated that it had been difficult to break Spectre's combo until his "Sunavalon" was the one that attacked. The enraged Spectre revived "Dryatrentiay" with "[[Sunavalon Cursed Rebirth]]", and while its effects were negated, its ATK became 4000. Spectre added that any damage he took would also be inflicted to Playmaker, assuring his defeat. Ai claimed this was why they should have ignored Zaizen, and Kolter suddenly attempted to destroy the trap that imprisoned Zaizen, but failed.<ref name="ep37">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|37|ref}}</ref> Zaizen reminded Playmaker that he had to win or Skye's sacrifice would be in vain, and he grasped his prison, infecting himself with the virus and being absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi. Spectre mocked Zaizen for entrusting the future to a man who could not win, but a vengeful Playmaker warned Spectre that his Dueling always won and that his doubts had disappeared now that Zaizen was gone. He Link Summoned "[[Talkback Lancer (anime)|Talkback Lancer]]" and resurrected "Excode Talker", then with "[[Link Atrocity]]", raised its ATK to 4000 to match "Dryatrentiay". Spectre believed that Playmaker was aiming for mutual destruction and that his goal to prevent Playmaker from reaching Varis was complete, Playmaker replied that Spectre's goal was gone, for "Link Atrocity" reduced the ATK of "Dryatrentiay" back to 0. "Excode Talker" destroyed "Dryatrentiay", defeating Spectre. As Specre lamented over allowing Playmaker to live, yet claimed he had no regrets, Playmaker claimed he had no doubts anymore. Spectre told him that doubt and regret were two different things, and Playmaker left him behind as the bridge continued collapsing, but he was unable to reach the other side before it collapsed, plunging into the abyss below.<ref name="ep37"/> To their surprise, a Data Storm suddenly ejected them from the abyss, but Ai hadn't caused it. Realizing that the Tower was already half complete, they resumed their sprint towards the Tower.<ref name="ep39">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|39|ref}}</ref> Frog and Pigeon informed them of a Duel near the Tower, and Playmaker realized that The Gore was Dueling Varis, as Blue Angel and Spectre had both been defeated. He advised Frog and Pigeon to log out before sprinting in the direction they'd indicated. They arrived to see that Gore was indeed Dueling Varis, and Gore told Playmaker that he was late and that he would defeat Varis for him. Playmaker watched the Duel quietly, while Ai enthusiastically cheered Gore on. Although Gore was able to destroy Varis's "Topologic Bomber Dragon" and assemble enough "Gouki" Link Monsters for a finishing attack, Varis countered them with the card that Ghost Gal had warned them about - "[[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]".<ref name="ep39"/> Gore was able to recover from having his monsters destroyed, but Varis continued to drive him into a corner until Gore Link Summoned "[[Gouki The Giant Ogre (anime)|Gouki The Giant Ogre]]" and counterattacked, bringing their LP almost equal. Ai thought Gore would be fine, but Playmaker reminded him that Varis still had four monsters. They thought Varis would Link Summon "Borreload Dragon", but he instead Link Summoned "[[Borrelsword Dragon (anime)|Borrelsword Dragon]]" and defeated Gore. As Gore was absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, he apologized to Playmaker for being unable to do more, but Playmaker assured him that he knew about Varis's strategies now (specifying in the dub that he now knew about "Mirror Force".)<ref name="ep40">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|40|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker not Ai friend.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker claims that he never considered Ai a friend after learning about his deception.]]With The Gore's defeat, Playmaker and Varis were left as the only two Duelists in LINK VRAINS. They Speed Dueled in the debris of the Tower's fifth ring, and before the Duel started, Playmaker asked if Varis really needed to destroy the network just to destroy the Ignis. Varis accused Playmaker of causing this when he didn't give them Ai, and Playmaker vowed to defeat Varis (specifying in the dub that he was also fighting for Gore and Blue Angel) and quickly Link Summoned "Decode Talker". Varis then asked Playmaker why Ai was running from the Knights, and Playmaker told him that Ai had claimed to have lost his memory. Varis then revealed that the Knights had never been able to obtain Ai's memories, so he still had them and had been lying to Playmaker, and he revealed that Ai had been created based on Playmaker during the Hanoi Project and that its purpose had been to create the Ignis, who had created their own world, the [[Cyberse (world)|Cyberse]]. Ai tried to explain himself, but Playmaker harshly told him that he never considered him a friend, and told Varis that he only cared about defeating him (in the dub, Playmaker was far less harsh on Ai, though still angry with him).<ref name="ep41">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|41|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker loses hand.png|250px|thumb|left|Playmaker's attempt to use "Storm Access" severs his hand.]]They continued the Duel, but Varis only opposed "Decode Talker" with "[[Spin-Headed Behemoth]]" and a Set card, which Playmaker suspected to be "Mirror Force". He attempted to counter it with "[[Fault Tolerlancer]]", keeping it in Defense Position to protect his Attack Position monsters, but the effect of Varis's "Spin-Headed Behemoth" switched all of Playmaker's monsters to Attack Position and "Mirror Force" destroyed them all. Varis then brought out "[[Flash Charge Dragon (anime)|Flash Charge Dragon]]" and powered it up in combination with "[[Blast Powder Dragon]]", reducing Playmaker to 900 LP.<ref name="ep41"/> Playmaker was able to block the attack with "[[Spool Code (anime)|Spool Code]]", Summoning Tokens to Link Summon with on his next turn. He attempted to counter with "[[Security Dragon (anime)|Security Dragon]]", but the effect of Varis's "Flash Charge Dragon" protected it. Playmaker then attempted to use his Skill in the high-density Data Storm surrounding the Tower's core, despite Ai's protests, but he failed and his arm was severed. Ai grew to human size and saved him, then boosted Playmaker's Duel Board enough for him to safely enter the Data Storm and obtain "[[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]", though the effort apparently destroyed Ai. Playmaker Link Summoned "Transcode Talker", reviving "Decode Talker" and boosting their ATK high enough to defeat Varis, but Varis was able to [[Chobham Armor Dragon (anime)|survive]] their attacks with 850 LP remaining. Ai revealed that he'd survived, but needed time to recover, and Varis then attempted to use "Storm Access" himself, but failed as Playmaker had. Dr. Kogami then appeared to them, freezing the Data Storm and talking with Varis, giving him the energy he needed to enter the Data Storm. Declaring that the [[Stardust Road]] had shown him the way, Varis Link Summoned his new monster, "[[Topologic Gumblar Dragon (anime)|Topologic Gumblar Dragon]]", but then he abruptly ended the Duel in a DRAW by combining its effect to destroy their hands with "[[Drop Draco]]", blasting them both out of LINK VRAINS.<ref name="ep42">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|42|ref}}</ref> [[File:Yusaku Ai and Kolter meet Roken.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku meets Roken Kogami - Varis - in real life.]]Yusaku realized that Varis was near the Stardust Road due to his comments about it, and he and Kolter drove to the house on the cliff. There they found Roken Kogami with his father's body, and Roken told them that Dr. Kogami had just passed away. Yusaku asked Roken to tell them the truth, and Roken explained why the Hanoi Project had been undertaken and revealed that he had been the one who alerted the authorities. However, he had regretted this decision due to what happened to his father; he was infected with a virus by SOL Technologies that left him comatose, but revived in the network. The Ignis had created the Cyberse and the Cyberse monsters, in addition to Data Material and Data Storms. Dr. Kogami had then determined through simulations that the Ignis would eventually turn on humanity, which was why the Knights of Hanoi were trying to destroy them. Yusaku attempted to persuade Roken to stop the Tower of Hanoi, protesting that Kogami's results were only simulations (in the dub, he claimed that they were no better than Roken said the Ignis were if they were willing to destroy them) and that they could take a different path, as Roken - who he realized had been the one who told him to think of three reasons to fight during his captivity - had taught him. Roken then revealed that he had known Yusaku's identity since their first Master Duel when Playmaker spoke of "three reasons", but denied that he was a good person and still refused to end the Tower. He challenged Yusaku to a final Duel, and Yusaku accepted his challenge.<ref name="ep43">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|43|ref}}</ref>

===YuThey logged into LINK VRAINS, Master Dueling atop the Tower of Hanoi, whose sixth ring was almost complete. As Varis had in their previous Duel, he quickly Set "Mirror Force" to discourage Playmaker from attacking. Playmaker attempted to destroy "Mirror Force" with the effect of "[[Linkslayer (anime)|Linkslayer]]", but Varis had actually Set "[[Mirror Force Launcher (anime)|Mirror Force Launcher]]", which re-Gi-Oh! VRAINS===At schoolSet itself and then Set the real "Mirror Force". Despite the threat of "Mirror Force", Yusaku met Playmaker Link Summoned "Excode Talker" using "[[Naoki ShimaRestoration Point Guard (anime)|Restoration Point Guard]]" as Link Material, who started bragging allowing him to him about revive "Restoration Point Guard" when "Mirror Force" destroyed "Excode Talker" and land a direct attack.<ref name="ep43"/> Varis recovered "Mirror Force" and counterattacked with "Topologic Bomber Dragon" on his new next turn, but as he'd Link Summoned, "Restoration Point Guard" was indestructible for the turn and Playmaker was able to [[Duel DiskRescue Interlacer (anime)|minimize]]the damage that he took. When Yusaku attempted He brought out "Transcode Talker" and revived "Excode Talker", triggering the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon". Playmaker had been waiting for the effect to leaveactivate, Naoki offered and he negated the effects of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" with "[[Shield Handler (anime)|Shield Handler]]", which he then equipped to teach him how "Excode Talker" to Duelprevent being destroyed by card effects. Yusaku rejectedHe Link Summoned "Powercode Talker" as well, saying Naoki did not seem very strongand the effect of "Excode Talker" also prevented it and "Transcode" form being destroyed by card effects. "Transcode Talker" attacked "Topologic Bomber Dragon", but probably not a bad person eitherVaris protected it with "[[Link Turret (anime)|Link Turret]]", amassing five [[Rokket Counter]]s on it. YusakuVaris Link Summoned his ace, "Borreload Dragon" on his next turn, which single-handedly dismantled Playmaker's remarks annoyed Naokidefenses as Varis claimed that they had no new path and that they were prisoners of destiny.<ref name="ep44">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|44|ref}}</ref> Varis then began swarming the field with the effect of "Link Turret" and his "[[Miniborrel Dragon (anime)|Miniborrel Dragon]]", but he didnTributing Playmaker't think much of s stolen monsters to continually revive it. Before leavingHe brought out "[[Borrelguard Dragon (anime)|Borrelguard Dragon]]" and "Borrelsword Dragon" discarding his "Mirror Force" cards to revive Playmaker's "[[Code Talker (archetype)|Code Talker]]s", he wondered about and Ai was confused that Varis had discarded his trump card. Playmaker noted that Varis had a rule set where there are only three Main Monster Zonestrump card greater than "Mirror Force" and then realized that Varis intended to create an [[Extra Link]]. Sure enough, Varis Link Summoned "Topologic Gumblar Dragon", completing an Extra Link that unlocked the true power of "Topologic Gumblar Dragon". Varis destroyed their hand and inflicted 3000 damage to them with an effect that could not be negated.<ref name="ep1ep45" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|45|ref}}</ref>

[[File:Yusaku and Kusanagi disccussingPlaymaker smiles.png|thumb|250px|left|Yusaku and Kusanagi talking about Despite the situation, Playmaker enjoys the AIDuel with Varis.]]Playmaker was able to survive, quartering the damage with "[[File:Drop Frame Wedge]]" and preventing Varis from attacking for two turns. Varis gave Playmaker Saves The three reasons to feel despair, and Playmaker found himself struggling to stand. Ai begged him to keep going for the sake of his friends in the Cyberse (in the dub he also reminded him about Blue Angeland Gore), and Playmaker asked Ai what the Cyberse was like. Ai told him that it was a paradise, and that the Ignis had no interest in attacking humans when they had their own world. He managed to continue, but Varis continued to restrict every move they made.png|thumb|Despite their situation, Playmaker saves Blue Angelactually smiled, telling Ai that it was the only thing they could do in this situation.]]Yusaku later met up with Although they couldn't keep cards in their hand due to the effect of "Topologic Gumblar Dragon" , Playmaker managed to draw "[[Shoichi KusanagiArrow Charge]] " and discussed how both drew two cards that he could use. He set up a defense with "[[SOL TechnologiesSecure Gardna (anime)|Secure Gardna]] ", and their enemies, then the [[Knights effect of Hanoi]]"Drop Frame Wedge" ended, were chasing after [[Ai|an AI program]] in [[LINK VRAINS]] with himallowing Varis to attack them. Upon learning that SOL Technology Even though Varis had scheduled a full scan of Link VRAINS that evening to try and find seven monsters on the AIfield, they quickly started working Playmaker told him to bring it on a trap to catch the AI themselves. Although Yusaku successfully captured a reluctant Ai in <ref name="ep45"/> Varis attacked on his Duel Disknext turn, one using the effects of "Borreload" and "Borrelsword" to prevent Playmaker from stopping their attacks, but Playmaker was able to use the Knights effects of Hanoi threatened the cards in his Graveyard to destroy LINK VRAINS. Yusaku quickly entered LINK VRAINS as Playmaker and saved swarm his field with "[[Aoi ZaizenCongester Token (anime)|Blue AngelCongester Token]] from the Knights", allowing him to endure until he could activate card effects in response to Varis's attacks. He used his "[[Cracking Dragon Transaction Rollback (anime)|Cracking DragonTransaction Rollback]]". He then challenged the Knight to a Duelcopy "Mirror Force", putting Ai at stake. Ai voiced his doubts that Yusakuattempting to destroy Varis's Deck could beat Extra Link, but the effect of "Cracking Topologic Gumblar Dragon"prevented Varis's Extra Linked monsters from being destroyed by card effects, then stirred up a wind in Link VRAINS, starting a [[Speed Duel (VRAINS)|Speed Duel]] between Yusaku and the KnightVaris destroyed all of Playmaker's Tokens.<ref name="ep1ep46" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|46|ref}}</ref>

[[File:Knight of Hanoi laughs at Playmakerdeclares three reasons - including that his revenge is over.png|thumb|left250px|Playmaker being overwhelmed by the Data Stormends his quest for revenge, desiring to save Varis.]]As Varis told Playmaker rode that the outcome of the [[Data Storm]] windsDuel was decided, and Playmaker in turn told Varis about his current state of being, Ai explained how Speed Duels differ that he couldn't escape from [[Master Duel]]shis current path of loneliness even if he wanted to, but that Varis had crossed that abyss to help him. He vowed to save Varis as Varis had Playmaker. When Ai mentioned Varis believed Playmaker was begging for his life, but Playmaker insisted that he wasn't, nor was he trying to show mercy, but show Varis that there are only was another path. He listed three Main Monster Zonesreasons; his revenge was over, he'd overcome the abyss of destiny in this Duel, and they'd seize a new future together (in the dub, Yusaku wondered if Varis really agreed with his father's plans, he already knew about Speed Duels. Ai offered wouldn't have tried to help save Playmaker Duel the Knightten years ago, knowing that, but Playmaker refusedcould no longer justify his desire for revenge, reminding Ai that so if he could change, so could Varis, and if they were both no longer tied down by their past, the future was wide open for them to create). He began his hostage. The Knight took counterattack with the second effect of "Transaction Rollback", copying the first turn and swiftly Summoned effect of "[[Cracking Dragon Recoded Alive (anime)|Cracking DragonRecoded Alive]]". Yusaku wondered how in his Graveyard to counter bring out "Cracking Encode Talker", triggering the effect of " Topologic Gumblar Dragon" to destroy their hands and failed activating his own "[[Spam Mail]]" card to notice a building until Ai told him to dodge it, reminding him that Speed Duels have obstacles besides just the Duel. Playmaker summoned draw and Summon "[[Cyberse Wizard Swap Cleric (anime)|Cyberse WizardSwap Cleric]]", surprising everyone watching that he had [[Cyberse]] monsters. Playmaker used the The second effect of "WizardRecoded Alive" then allowed him to change revive "Cracking DragonTranscode Talker" to [[Defense Position]] and inflict damage to the Knight, but failed to destroy who revived "Cracking DragonPowercode Talker". Ai noticed , and then Playmaker wasn't particularly surprised that Link Summoned his own ace monster, "Cracking Firewall Dragon" couldn, completing an Extra Link of his own with Varis't be destroyeds monsters, and allowing him to which Playmaker said that use the Knight didn't react to effect of "Cyberse WizardSwap Cleric" so he figured the Knight was planning something. A tornado formed within the Data Stormto draw one final card.<ref name="ep2ep46">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|2|ref}}</ref>

[[File:Playmaker Storm AccessYusaku sets Ai free at last.png|thumb|Playmaker uses the Storm Access Skill250px|left|Yusaku sets Ai free.]]The Knight activated a With "[[SkillZero Extra Link (anime)|Zero Extra Link]]", which angered Yusaku because Ai didnPlaymaker boosted the ATK of "Transcode Talker" to 9200. Varis prevented Playmaker't mention skills. The Knight used s co-linked monsters form attacking with "[[DDoS AttackLink Short]]" to inflict 1600 Damage to , but Playmaker and knock him off set his [[D-Board]]. Blue Angel saved Playmaker by using her whip three monsters to throw Link Summon "Decode Talker", who inherited the D-Board back at him. Ai noted that a fall boost from that height could've killed them. The Knight reduced Playmaker's LP to 400 "Zero Extra Link", and attacked and the Data Storm tornado sucked himdestroyed "Borreload Dragon", defeating Varis at last. Inside the tornadoAlthough he was defeated, Yusaku figured out Varis vowed that this was part of Ai's calculations. Ai revealed that powerful monsters reside within he would return as long as the Data StormIgnis were a threat, and that Playmaker's skill "Storm Access" allowed him to obtain those Monsters when his LP is below 1000. Playmaker obtained "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]"he logged out, which ending the Tower of Hanoi as he used to win the Duel'd promised. As the Knight fell off his D-BoardThe absorbed Duelists were released, and Yusaku declared that the Knight had no right logged out to call himself see Roken fleeing in a Duelistspeedboat.<ref name="ep2ep46" />

Playmaker attempted to interrogate the KnightLater that night, only for he and Ai watched the Knight to attempt to kill him by self-destructingStardust Road. With the Knights of Hanoi finally defeated, Yusaku freed Ai saved from his life by devouring the KnightDuel Disk. [[Go Onizuka]] and Blue Angel appeared and challenged PlaymakerAi suggested that he say something profound, but he simply said he wasndeciding on "One man't interested and logged out. Yusaku and Shoichi spent the next few days trying to figure out Ais fault is another's programming lesson", and gave him the nickname "ai". Yusaku discovered some video logs smiled, commenting that they were actually nice words (in the dub, Ai's memories. Ai said he didn't understand those memories because most were damaged when he was reduced asked Yusaku not to an eye, but contact him in the future if he did recognize The Knight's of Hanoi's [[Revolver|leader]]needed him). Later that night, messing Ai almost left with Ai caused the Knight's leader Duel Disk in drone mode until Yusaku gently reminded him to sense their location leave it behind, and travel thereAi bid him goodbye, vanishing into the network. Yusaku asked Shoichi returned to shut down [[Café Nagi]]'s power Nom to prevent them from being foundget his bag, though telling Kolter that he caught 'd let Ai go and that he didn't need a glimpse of ride back, and he walked home alone by the Knight's leaderStardust Road.<ref name="ep3ep46">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|3|ref}}</ref>

=== Ignis ===[[File:VRAINS log inMuch to Playmaker's shock Ai has returned to him.png|thumb|left250px|Yusaku logs in Ai returns to the networkPlaymaker as he pursues Jin's kidnapper.]]The next day Playmaker became hailed as a Knight hero for stopping the [[Knights of Hanoi appeared at ]], but Yusaku didn't log into [[LINK VRAINS while Ai ]] for three months, and [[SOL Technologies]] placed a bounty on his head. While [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] visited [[Jin Kolter|Jin]], Yusaku manned [[Café Nom]], and he was back at visited by [[Yusaku Fujiki's houseSkye Zaizen|Yusaku's houseSkye]], so Yusaku skipped school to go get who teased him that his Duel Disk expression would scare the customers away and face the Knightthanked him for saving her when she was [[Deleted]]. On his way thereYusaku suddenly received a call from Kolter, Shoichi gave telling him that [[Bohman|someone]] had stolen Jin's consciousness data and escaped into the "Decode Talker" card which had materialized. Upon arriving at new LINK VRAINS, . Yusaku quickly figured out logged in, boarding his new [[Duel Board]], but was accosted by [[The Shepherd|a bounty hunter]]. Playmaker told him that the Knight was he didn't have an impostor. The Knight revealed himself [[Ignis]] anymore and had no reason to be Go Onizukahunted, who wanted but to defeat Playmaker and recover his title as shock, [[Ai]] had chosen that moment to return, along with "VRAINS' hero[[Linkuriboh (character)|Linkuriboh]]". Ai summoned a [[Data Storm]] to force the bounty hunter to log out, and then Playmaker rejected his challenged but SOL triggered the unknown figure who had stolen Jin's consciousness to a [[Speed Duel]]. The figure only Set a program that stops single card on his first turn, allowing Playmaker from logging out until he defeated Goto deplete over half his LP. With no choiceOn his next turn, Playmaker started the Duel. When Go made an intentional misplay figure revealed that he had [[Cyberse]] monsters, and took damage, Ai questioned why suggested that he would make such an illogical move, might have something to which Playmaker said that humans' hearts make them do illogical thingswith the destruction of the [[Cyberse (world)|Cyberse]]. Ai Playmaker was confused by shocked to learn that the Cyberse had been destroyed, but Playmaker didnthen the figure used his [[Skill]], "[[Marker't explain what it meant because Ais Portal]]" to activate a [[Link Spell Card]] "[[Judgment Arrows]]", which doubled the [[ATK]] of the figure's algorithm"[[Flow Hydradrive]]s" to 2000, and their effects allowed them to attack Playmaker directly due to the [[WIND]] "[[Elphase (anime)|Elphase]]" he controlled.<ref name="ep47">{{episode|Yu-based thinking wouldn't comprehend itGi-Oh! VRAINS|47|ref}}</ref> Playmaker was able to survive with the effect of "[[Linkuriboh (anime)|Linkuriboh]]" and he counterattacked on his next turn by [[Ritual Summon]]ing "[[Cyberse Magician (anime)|Cyberse Magician]]", but his opponent used his "[[Property Spray]]" [[Trap Card|Trap]] to increase his [[LP]] and survive the attack.<ref name="ep4ep48">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|448|ref}}</ref>

Go The glowing shell covering his opponent shattered, revealing a long-haired man who appeared to have amnesia. After struggling with his situation, the man suddenly regained his composure and introduced himself as Bohman, then continued the Speed Duel. He brought out two "[[Coolant Hydradrive]]s", then used one to activate the effect of "Property Spray" and change the [[Attribute]]s of Playmaker's monsters to [[WATER]] to allow "Coolant Hydradrive" to attack directly, but the effect of "Cyberse Magician" saved Playmaker by halving the damage. On his next turn, Playmaker used "Storm Access", acquiring and [[Link Summon]]ed ing "[[Gouki The Great Ogre Shootingcode Talker (anime)|Gouki The Great OgreShootingcode Talker]]‎‎"<ref name="ep4" /> and reduced Playmaker's LP using it to 100defeat Bohman. Playmaker couldAi attempted to eat Jin've reduced the damage he took s data out of him, but chose not to, and refused to use the escape route that Shoichi had built. Ai again was confused struck down by why humans make illogical contradictory choicesan anti-Ignis program. Yusaku stated that GoBohman's little brother [[Harlin]] then spirited him away on his Duel was meant Board, calling out two Duelists called [[Bit]] and [[Boot]] to entertain the audience and Yusaku himself and delay him, but [[Theodore Hamilton|another Duelist]] suddenly arrived, telling Playmaker that he wouldn't quit the Dueld handle Bit and Boot and to go after Bohman. <ref name="ep48" /> Playmaker proceeded pursued them, but he was unable to win by Link Summoning four times in a row prevent Harlin and attacking "Great Ogre" three times Bohman escaping into the restricted area of LINK VRAINS, as Harlin left him with "Decode Talker"a cryptic warning that something unimaginable would happen soon. After the DuelThe Duelist who had assisted Playmaker arrived, Shoichi and suggested they should recruit Go for their fight against Hanoi, but Yusaku rejected log out due to the ideadefense system being activated by Harlin's intrusion. Before he logged out, saying that he didn't want Go to face the danger of fighting against themDuelist introduced himself as Soulburner.<ref name="ep5ep49">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|549|ref}}</ref>

When Shoichi uncovered Aoi Zaizen's identity as Blue AngelOnce they were back in the real world, Kolter rejoined them and Yusaku realized that Aoi was a student at trapped Ai within his [[Den AcademyDuel Disk]] and again for his classmatesafety. Shoichi suggested meeting her in order They noted that their new enemy was formidable given their ability to find out if her brother [[Akira Zaizen|Akira]], who was the Security Manager at SOL Technologies, knew anything about Yusaku's past or [[Shoichidigitize and steal a person's brother]]. Howeverconsciousness, and Yusaku promised Kolter that he then started teasing that talking to Aoi would be impossible for Yusaku because of his lack of social skills'd defeat this new enemy and rescue Jin. NeverthelessAt school the next day, Yusaku managed to track her down with Ai's helpnoticed another student following him, and he followed her to him into an empty room after the [[Duel Club]], where Naoki caught up to himstudent ducked inside. He feigned ignorance when Naoki inferred The student revealed that he wanted to join the clubwas Soulburner, that his real name was Theodore Hamilton, and when that we was also a victim of the [[HosodaLost Incident]] invited him inand was partnered with an Ignis, he nervously tried to opt out until Ai said thanks on his behalf, which upset him. Yusaku who introduced himself as [[Flame (character)|Flame]]. They went to a Ferris wheel to talk, where Flame revealed that the rest of the clubIgnis had been discussing whether or not to trust humanity, and Yusaku noted the other members introduced themselves as well, including Aoi. When another member, irony that [[SatoKiyoshi Kogami]]had been the cause of those discussions. Flame explained that before they could decide, showed him his Duel Disk, the Cyberse had suddenly been attacked by an assailant wielding "Judgment Arrows" and that he pretended was trying to be interestedfind the other Ignis, commenting on who had been scattered through the fact that it was network by the latest modelattack. Aoi remarked Flame and Ai revealed that he knew a lotthe six Ignis represented the six Attributes, and Yusaku curiously asked which Attribute was paired with Jin, but he said it was Ai explained that only because Naoki had bragged about it earlierthat Ignis knew. MeanwhileYusaku introduced Theodore to Kolter, Ai tried to start a conversation with Aoiand caught him up on the situation. Kolter stated that Bohman had vanished in LINK VRAINS's Duel DiskRestricted Area, which made Aoi notice and that Yusakuhe's Duel Disk was d found a card-loading modelshred of an unknown program. Ai and Flame recognized it as an Ignis program associated with the WIND Attribute, and Playmaker asked if that meant the same as PlaymakerWind Ignis was down there. Ai wasn'st sure, but either way they needed to go down there. When she asked [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]] then sent them info about the Restricted Area and how to see his Deckenter it, he obliged, but handed her his dummy Deck instead. and though Ai later complimented him on thisprotested that it was a trap, but Yusaku told him to be quietrealized that Ghost Gal must have got the info from [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]], as a meeting so it was in progresslegitimate, and Kolter warned them that SOL Technology would likely have Bounty Hunters waiting for them.<ref name="ep6ep50">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|650|ref}}</ref>

That evening, he watched Blue Angel issue [[File:Playmaker reveals a fusion Spell - Cynet Fusion.png|thumb|250px|left|Playmaker using a public challenge for Fusion Spell during his Duel with The Shepherd]]Playmaker to come and Soulburner logged into LINK VRAINS and headed through the Restricted Area using the stealth program that Ghost Gal had given them, but sure enough, they were ambushed by [[George Gore|Gore]] and [[Kenchi|two]] [[Yozaka|other]] bounty hunters.<ref name="ep51" /> SOL Technologies' traps quickly logged out Kenchi and Yozaka, and Gore challenged Playmaker to a Duel her. Ai suggested Playmaker stated that he should acceptdidn't have time for this, but and Soulburner asked Playmaker to let him Duel Gore instead. Playmaker agreed, and he continued deeper into the Restricted Area.<ref name="ep51">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|51|ref}}</ref> As he refusedand Ai descended, they were attacked by The Shepherd, the first Bounty Hunter they'd met.<ref name="ep52">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|52|ref}}</ref> Forced to stay away from the turbulent data in the outskirts of the Restricted Area, The Shepherd chased them into the central shafts, since he only approached Aoi attempting ordering them to acquire a lead on surrender or Duel, and Playmaker accepted his stolen memorieschallenge. The Shepherd started slowly, and he only Duels against Knights his A.I. warning him of Hanoi"Shootingcode Talker", which she wasncould bypass the defensive effect of Shepherd'ts "[[Drone Pawn]]". Despite thisPlaymaker prepared to Summon "Shootingcode Talker", and Shepherd's A.I. claimed that he couldn't activate his Set card when he was visibly embarrassed Link Summoned "Elphase", but when the MC declared Playmaker Link Summoned "Shootingcode Talker", Shepherd activated his "[[Capture Drone]]" Trap Card, sealing "Shootingcode Talker". He revealed that Playmaker wasn't a man if he didn't acceptd made his A.I. lie, and on his next turn, used "Capture Drone" to [[Special Summon]] "[[Drone Token]]s" to Link Summon "[[Battledrone General]]". <ref name="ep53">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|53|ref}}</ref> The next morningShepherd used the effect of "General" and [[Battledrone Sergeant]]" to launch multiple direct attacks, swiftly depleting Playmaker's LP, but Playmaker was able to save himself with "[[Cure Conversion]]", Ai read various posts on social media making fun though at the cost of restoring his LP and preventing him from using "Storm Access". Instead, Playmaker for not acceptingbrought out "Cyberse Magician" and attacked, but Shepherd reduced his damage with "[[Demolition Drone]]" by [[Tribute|Tributing]] "General". He soon bumped into Aoi Shepherd [[Assemble Drone|revived]] "General" and re-established his forces on his next turn, attacking with his "Drone" combo again. Although the effect of "Cyberse Magician" halved the damage this time, Shepherd used his Skill "[[Drone Force]]" to weaken it and they said good morning to each otherincrease the ATK of "General", then attacked "[[Cyberse Witch (anime)|Cyberse Witch]]" with his "[[Medicdrone Dock]]" for the end of his count. While walking Playmaker was able to classmake their ATK equal, destroying them both, Aoi asked him why he wanted but triggering the effect of "Medicdrone Dock" to join the Duel Clubincrease their LP, once again preventing Playmaker from using Storm Access. Despite this, not believing it Playmaker was because he loved Dueling. When Yusaku tried able to use "[[Dimension Link]]" to ask about her brotherhalve his LP and free "Shootingcode Talker" from "Capture Drone", she replied that people only ever approached her to ask if her brother could give them a new Duel Disk or a job at SOL after graduationbut Shepherd once again prevented his Link Monsters from attacking with his "[[Drone Cordon]]" Trap. She lamented that her brother didn't trust herPlaymaker then used his Skill, "Storm Access", acquiring and ran offLink Summoning "[[Clock Spartoi (anime)|Clock Spartoi]]" using the "[[Cynet Token]]s" that were generated by "[[Cynet Ritual (anime)|Cynet Ritual]]". Soon afterVia its effects, Ai tried he added "[[Cynet Fusion (anime)|Cynet Fusion]]" from his Deck to warn Yusaku about a problem his hand, then revived his "[[Clock Wyvern (anime)|Clock Wyvern]]", and he'd noticed fused all of his monsters with Aoi's Duel Disk"Cynet Fusion" to [[Fusion Summon]] "[[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]", whose effect increased its ATK high enough to obliterate "Battledrone General", but Yusaku wouldn't hear of itdefeating The Shepherd.<ref name="ep6ep54" />

In classAfterwards, Ai suddenly told him to hold Playmaker and Soulburner met upagain, and Yusaku scolded him for being too loudthey managed to enter the unknown world through its gate. He was surprisedImmediately after arriving, howeverthey were hit by strong winds, when which forced Ai said that a Knight of Hanoi had appearedand Flame to protect them using Data Storms. He went At some point, the winds stopped, and they were able to reach a temple where they finally found the balcony behind Wind Ignis. After showing them the Duel Club to enter LINK VRAINS, but instead of a Knight of Hanoi, world he found Blue Angelhad built, the Ignis (who remarked decided to call himself "Windy") explained how he did that he had finally made in order to attract his decision about her challengefellow Ignis, and also to lure the responsible for destroying the Cyberse. He Despite not knowing who was initially obliviousthe responsible, Flame pointed out they were after Bohman, who not only had stolen Jin's consciousness, but realized that Ai also had sent Aoi the card used to destroy the Cyberse, and suggested he could've escaped to a text message on Playmakerworld inside Windy's behalf challenging herworld. He became angryThey then asked Windy to join them, thinking Ai had tricked himand he promptly refused, until Ai told him claiming that Blue Angel those statements had Hanoi's card in her Deckno evidence. However, which shocked him. He realized that this was what Ai was trying Windy offered to weaken the winds near the area where Bohman supposedly escaped to tell him earlier, but wondered why Blue Angel would join Hanoi. Ai suggested under the condition that Hanoi might be using her to lure Playmaker, and asked what he would do, since he wanted to Soulburner defeat all Hanoi. Soon after, a Data Storm appearedtwo invaders, Ghost Gal and the Duel startedan unknown partner.<ref name="ep6" />

Playmaker was quickly at Upon making contact with the mercy of girls, Blue Gal presented herself as actually being Blue Angel's [[Trickstar]] Deck, which repeatedly dealt him [[effect damage]] while powering up . Soulburner was happy to meet another savior of the [[ATK]] of her ace monster, "[[Trickstar Holly Angel (anime)|Trickstar Holly Angel]]", and he noted that this offensive strategy was very efficient. He Summoned "Decode Talker" and attacked "Holly Angel" with itold LINK VRAINS, but Blue Gal stated they were actually seeking to retrieve the attack failed and "Decode Talker" was destroyed insteadIgnis. Ai commented that Blue Angel was putting pressure on them, but While both Playmaker noticed that Hanoi's presence was getting stronger. At that momentand Ghost Gal were willing to solve the situation without Dueling, Soulburner accepted Blue Angel drew "[[Dark Angel (anime)|Dark Angel]]", HanoiGal's cardchallenge. During Yusaku's next turn, he was reduced Playmaker left the girls to less than 1000 LP, allowing him to use his Skill Soulburner and gain access to "[[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]"flew off, which he promptly Link Summoned. Blue Angel realized that Playmaker was taking advantage heading for the edge of the damage that she Wind World. Ai asked him if this was inflicting on himall right, and tried to end the Duel by using her Skill, but failed because Playmaker reassured him it was protected by "[[Defect Compiler (anime)|Defect Compiler]]". In response, she played "Dark Angel", and immediately fell under Hanoi's influence. She entered into a berserk rage and started screaming, much to Playmaker's and Ai's concern. He ended the Duel as quickly as possible by destroying "Holly Angel" with "Encode Talker", defeating Blue Angel in one hit, but not before she succumbed to mental damage from "Dark Angel" and fell unconscious.<ref name="ep7ep55">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|755|ref}}</ref>

[[File:VRAINSChurch.png|thumb|Yusaku caught in "Blue Angel's" trap.]]Playmaker then found Blue Angel unconscious while As Ai devoured celebrated the Hanoi card. He prospect of revenge on those who had fed him a virus, Playmaker reminded him that they might not be there, as Windy had only said there was forced to logout when security bots a chance they were incoming and found Aoi in a comatose state on the roofpresent. He proceeded answer Aoi's phone when Akira called However, they did indeed find Bohman, now armored and took Aoi ready to the hospitalDuel. He then met Akira who thanked him challenged Playmaker to a Master Duel atop stone statues, and questioned Playmaker accepted his relationship with Aoichallenge. To his surprise, Bohman chose to which go first and used the same "[[Hydradrive]]" Deck, Link Summoning "[[Twin Hydradrive Knight]]", activating "Judgment Arrows", and Setting two cards that he responded that they were just classmatesclaimed would decide the Duel. Yusaku, Shoichi, Playmaker and Ai then discussed AoiBohman's condition strategy and a possible cure. Ai said that when he devoured Hanoi's card he detected that Aoi's brain must be infected by a virusone of his Set cards was likely his "[[Property Spray]]" Trap, but Playmaker sensed something different about Bohman and that decided to uncover it during the only ones with Duel. He combated the appropriate anti-virus would be Hanoi themselves. [[Emma Bessho|effect of "Judgment Arrows"Blue Angelwith "]] then appeared on the [[Den CityUpdate Jammer (anime)|city'sUpdate Jammer]] screens challenging Playmaker to a rematch. Despite knowing that it was an impostor and most likely a trap", Yusaku claimed it was his responsibility to rescue Aoi; if the impostor was a destroying "Twin Hydradrive Knight of Hanoi he could get the anti-virus, on the other hand if it was a SOL agent he could explain them what happened to Aoi. After logging in", he identified Blue Angel as a fake and was trapped by her. She revealed herself prepared "[[Arrow Break]]" to be negate "Ghost GirlProperty Spray". However, who accompanied by Akira who proceeded to entrap and torture Playmaker believing him to be responsible for Aoi's conditionwhen he did, despite Playmaker and AiBohman claimed he's claims of innocence d anticipated their counter and that they were looking for an anti-virus, replenished his resources with "[[RevolverHydradrive Cycle]] appeared ", re-Summoning "Twin Hydradrive Knight" with different Attributes and claimed that he would challenge Playmaker for Aiallowing its effect to negated the matching-Attribute "Update Jammer". After threatening Akira that Aoi will never wake up unless Playmaker defeats was pushed into a corner, and Bohman called him in a Duel, Akira released Playmaker fake and vanished. Before Playmaker took his leave, Akira pleaded with told him to save Aoi, despite hating him for his brutal treatment towards himfight the Duel until the end. Playmaker stated He claimed that he doesn't hate Akirawas the true Playmaker, he only hates and that Playmaker was really a digital backup that had accidentally been switched with the real one during the Knights of HanoiLost Incident, much and vowed to Akira's surprisereclaim his body.<ref name="ep8ep57">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|857|ref}}</ref>

As [[File:Playmaker smiles after hearing Bohman claim that he was kidnapped by Dr Kogami.png|250px|thumb|Playmaker smiles after hearing Bohman's claim that he was kidnapped by Dr. Kogami, knowing this proves he is a fake.]]Playmaker stated that the true Playmaker would be the victor, and Revolver rode off continued the Data Wind Duel, Link Summoning "[[Detonate Deleter (anime)|Detonate Deleter]]" to bypass "Judgment Arrows" and prepare for a final strike, but Bohman was able to commence remain in the Speed Duel, Playmaker expressed his desire to battle with "[[Half Shut (anime)|Half Shut]]". Bohman then talked about being left behind after the Knights of Hanoi Lost Incident and uncover their true identities. Revolver replied claimed that he didn't care about his opinion would never forgive Playmaker and stated that he was the emissary of revenge. He darkened the sky and was struck by lightning, then he created a Data Storm after lowering his only goal was LP to retrieve Ai650. Both sides agreed on several conditions for their Duel: if Playmaker wonrealized that Bohman somehow intended to use "Storm Access", Ai would eat and Bohman was able to use the Skill during the program Master Duel, Link Summoning "[[Trident Hydradrive Lord]]". He made it FIRE, WATER, and WIND, and these Attributes allowed it to be completely protected from Revolver Playmaker's effects via "[[Hydradrive Accelerator]]", allowing it to get Aoiattack and destroy "Detonate Deleter". Playmaker was able to hang on with "[[Link Ration]]", and Bohman praised his fighting spirit, stating that he was definitely Bohman's body backcopy. Playmaker asked Bohman who kidnapped him, and when Bohman claimed it was Dr. Kogami, while if Playmaker lostsmiled, realizing that Bohman had been given fake memories as it had really been [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] who kidnapped him. Although he admitted that there was no way to truly know which was the real one, he recalled Roken's advice to remember three reasons, and declared that he would give Ai to Revolverwin the Duel, retrieve Jin's data, and uncover Bohman's identity and [[Lightning|the one]] controlling him. After Declaring thathe'd win that turn, Revolver declared Playmaker revealed that he'd sent "Clock Wyvern" to the Graveyard on his second turn, claiming that a fake couldn't anticipate his hatred for AIs plans, and his belief that Ai would lead everyone he Fusion Summoned "Cyberse Clock Dragon". Bohman attempted to negate its effects by Summoning a FIRE "Hydradrive Token" to destruction. Revolver also blamed Playmaker for assisting Ai 's field and swore targeting it with "Hydradrive Lord" to eliminate himmake "Clock Dragon" the same Attribute, but the presence of the revived "Linkuriboh" prevented Bohman from targeting monsters other than "Clock Dragon", which destroyed "Trident Hydradrive Lord" and defeated Bohman. Revolver then waved his handBefore Playmaker could reclaim Jin's data, causing the LINK VRAINS Wind World began to be crushed destabilize, and Bohman and Harlin vanished beneath the clouds, Harlin claiming that Bohman would return. Soulburner and replaced with lava rivers Flame arrived and fiery lakessuggested they log out, and as the Duel finally beganAi urged Playmaker to do so, Playmaker wondered just who Bohman was and who controlled him.<ref name="ep9ep58">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|9|ref}}</ref>

As Yusaku and Ai wondered why the Speed Duel progressed, Playmaker defeated Revolver's "Cracking Dragon" with "Decode Talker" once more, until Revolver revealed that he gate had the very same skill as Playmaker's vanished and Ai's: "Storm Access"if something had happened to Windy. With itKolter then sent them a message, Revolver summoned "and they rushed to Café Nom to learn that [[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)Baira|Topologic Bomber DragonKlarissa Turner]]"had escaped from prison. Yusaku realized immediately that Varis was responsible, and reflected that this would be a difficult battle now that they were fighting Bohman, The Gore, The Shepherd and began to gain the upper handKnights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep9ep59" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|59|ref}}</ref> Fearing they might loseLater, Ai led Playmaker he explained to another Data StormKolter, where the two obtained [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|a dragon]]. HoweverTheodore, Revolver activated and Flame that Bohman had the Trap Cardsame memories as him, "[[Remote Rebirth (anime)|Remote Rebirth]]"and dismissed their concerns as he stated that they needed to find Bohman to get Jin's data back. He apologized to Kolter for his failure, but Kolter reassured him it was fine and he was just happy Yusaku and combo-ed it with the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon", ending the Speed Duel in a [[DRAW]]Theodore had returned safely. Following Kolter revealed thathe'd added a room for Theodore to log in from, Revolver dragged Playmaker and Ai inside a Data Stormnoted that since the gate was closed, where they began a [[Master Duel]]'d have to wait for it to open again. As At school the next day, they met with Skye and politely greeted one another, Theodore introducing himself and later gushing about his Duel went onwith her. Yusaku reminded him that he couldn't talk about it, Revolver activated the effect of "and Theodore reassured him that he knew. [[Fire Prison (anime)Naoki Shima|Fire PrisonShima]]"then approached them, telling Skye off for not being at Duel club and boasting about being Playmaker's best friend, eliminating all [[Cyberse]] cards from the fieldreminding Yusaku of when they battled, as well as making Ai seemingly vanish into thin airthough Yusaku tied to brush it off.<ref name="ep10ep60">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1060|ref}}</ref>

As The gate soon reappeared, this time in a disused island at the Master Duel progressedtop of LINK VRAINS, Revolver gained the upper hand once more by summoning "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]" and attacked Playmaker directlyand Soulburner quickly logged in and headed for it. Just But as they approached, it began sucking Playmaker in with winds, and Playmaker was on spotted The Shepherd in the verge gate. Soulburner pushed him out of giving upthe way, he remembered and the words someone told gate trapped him long ago: having three reasons and Flame inside, leaving Playmaker unable to live help them.<ref name="ep60" /> Playmaker circled the sphere that the gate had transformed into, explaining to Kolter that The Shepherd was responsible. He asked if Kolter could open the gate, and win DuelsKolter admitted that it wouldn't be easy. Playmaker told Kolter that he was the only one who could do it, and Ai spotted Kenchi and Yozaka approaching. Playmaker then called out decided to hold them off and give Kolter time to work.<ref name="ep61">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|61|ref}}</ref> Aiasked if Playmaker was sure he wouldn't need to log out, asking and Playmaker told him to lend him his powerthat they couldn't abandon Soulburner. Ai unleashed a Data Storm that logged Yozaka out, as he proceeded to and Playmaker Speed Dueled Kenchi alone. Kenchi used a "[[Link SummonGouki]] " Deck, bringing out "[[Firewall Dragon Gouki The Blade Ogre (anime)|Firewall DragonGouki The Blade Ogre]], " and ultimately destroyed powering it up to 3000 ATK with two "Gouki" monsters backing it up. Playmaker defeated Kenchi in one turn by combining "Fire Prison,[[Pentestag (anime)|Pentestag]]" with "[[Cyberse Annihilation]]" as well as return Ai to consciousnesshe had against Gore, logging him out. Ai He asked Kolter for a status update, and Kolter told him that it was amazed to see slow progress given the complexity of the two dragonsIgnis program. Yozaka then logged in again, until Revolver used the effect of and Playmaker took him on as well.<ref name="Borreload Dragonep62" to take control of >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|62|ref}}</ref> Yozaka put up a better fight than Kenchi, Link Summoning "Firewall Dragon[[Gouki The Solid Ogre (anime)|Gouki The Solid Ogre]]", but Playmaker countered and bolstering it with "[[Cynet RefreshGouki Unity]]" to destroy and revive it back on make his field. He then activated monsters indestructible, but Playmaker got around this via the effects of "[[Recoded Alive Security Dragon (anime)|Recoded AliveSecurity Dragon]]" to banish "Decode Talkerand " from his [[GraveyardFirewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]] ", returning Yozaka's monsters to his hand before defeating him with "[[Special SummonDual Assembwurm (anime)|Dual Assembwurm]] "Encode Talkerand " and declared Firewall Dragon". After he defeated Yozaka, Kolter launched the rescue program he'd been working on, but it failed. Eventually, the real battle program worked, releasing Soulburner. Playmaker quickly approached Soulburner, admitting he was glad Soulburner was just beginningokay. Soulburner complained that they'd rescued him before he could win, but Playmaker suggested they log out.<ref name="ep11ep63">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1163|ref}}</ref>

When Playmaker's "Firewall Dragon" used its effect to return "Borreload Dragon" from the fieldAfter school one day, Theodore met up with Yusaku, Revolver informed asking him that it couldn't be targeted by effectsif he was going to see Kolter. Playmaker targeted "Magnarokket Dragon"Shima then interrupted, whose effect caused "Firewall Dragon" asking to talk to Yusaku and claiming to be destroyedknow his secret. Instead, Playmaker's <ref name="Cynet Refreshep64" protected /> Yusaku suspected that Shima had deduced his dragon from destruction. Revolver was amusedidentity as Playmaker, and ended his turn. Much so he followed Shima to Revolverthe [[Duel Club]], but Shima was actually talking about Yusaku's surprisepart time job at Café Nom, Playmaker had "Firewall Dragon", protected by "Encode Talker", attack "Borreload Dragon", who had more ATKas Den City High did not permit them. With "Battle Buffer", "Encode TalkerShima promised to keep Yusaku's" ATK was raised, and impressed Revolver secret if he helped him sign cards for such a strategy. To counter thatBlue Angel handshake event, Revolver targeted "Encode Talker" with his dragon to reduce the ATKbut Yusaku left as soon as he realized Shima wasn't talking about anything important, causing "Encode Talker" to be destroyed and Playmakerignoring Shima's strategy threats to backfiresnitch him to Playmaker. While <ref name="Firewall Dragon's" ATK was raised by "Battle Bufferep65"/> Another day, Revolver's "Rokket" dragons regained their effects. Revolver claimed the match was overhe came out of his room to see Ai and Roboppi talking, and as Playmaker could not attack anymore. The latter made Roboppi tried to tell him doubt , Ai claimed thatthey were checking on his popularity, since he could not use finding a post from someone claiming to be the effect of "Magnrokket Dragon"[[EARTH|Earth]] Ignis. Using "Recoded Alive", Playmaker revived "Decode Talker", whose ATK was boosted up They showed the post to destroy "Borreload Dragon". HoweverKolter, Revolver used "Borrel Refrigeration" to make "Magnarokket Dragon" destroy itself to blast away "Decode Talker". Revolver smiled, seeing how close he who expressed doubt that it was to his victorygenuine, with Playmaker having no cards nor attacks to executethough Yusaku pointed out that few knew about the Ignis. Playmaker refused Ai sent the Earth Ignis a message asking where to losemeet using an Ignis algorithm, and received a similar one in return, which Ai claimed he wanted to uncover the events that were coordinates. Kolter suspected it could be a trap laid by The Shepherd, but Yusaku stated they had happened 10 years ago, to recover the time he had lost investigate any chance at finding Jin's consciousness data. He and Ai logged in and wanted went to save the person that saved him. Revolver was surprised that Playmaker was involved in an incident 10 years ago coordinates, He replied he was "that emissary of revenge"staying on the lookout. Revolver claimed Playmaker was a fool to help SOL Technologies out without knowing asked Ai about the truth.Playmaker refused to listenother three Ignis they hadn't met, and using "Parallel Port Armor"Ai described the [[Lightning|Light Ignis]] as calm and collected, he had "Firewall Dragon" attack once more to perform a the [[One Turn KillAqua (character)|Water Ignis]]. The attack destroyed "Borreload Dragon"as someone who liked him and who could tell truth from lies, and defeated Revolverthe Earth Ignis as no-nonsense an honest, pulling the Earth Ignis randomly out of the air to describe him.<ref name="ep12ep66" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|66|ref}}</ref>

After The Earth Ignis, who Ai nicknamed "Earth", took them to another world to talk. He challenged Playmaker defeated Revolverto a Duel, claiming that he demanded that Revolver reveal his wanted to verify the true identity and those nature of humanity. After they decided to name the Knights Water Ignis "Aqua", Earth asked Ai why he was with Playmaker, and though Ai claimed it was because they were friends, Playmaker did not acknowledge his claim and asked if Earth knew anything about Bohman. Earth told them to Duel him if they wanted their answer. Earth created an avatar out of Hanoia log to Duel with, and Playmaker realized that Earth's partner was [[Spectre]]. He Earth took a while to announce that he was shock when he witnessed going second, and stated that humans had likely destroyed the Cyberse and asked why Ai eating Revolverstill sided with them. Playmaker noted that Earth's arm in order to get his data backpartner was likely Spectre, and Ai wondered if this was why Earth hated humans. Before Revolver leftPlaymaker asked Ai how Earth Dueled, and Ai admitted he gave the antidote for Blue Angeldidn't remember as Earth hadn't really stood out. Earth Link Summoned "[[G Golem Invalid Dolmen (anime)|G Golem Invalid Dolmen]]" and destroyed Playmaker's coma defending "[[Poisoning Blocker]]", inflicting piercing damage, and Ai chose that point to remember that Earth was a great Duelist. Playmakerattempted to counter with "[[Zombie Prosaber]]" to take control of "Invalid Dolmen", but the effect of "Invalid Dolmen" negated the effect of "Zombie Prosaber" once it was destroyed. Playmaker ended his turn there, despite Ai protesting he knew lots about Earth. Playmaker accompanied Ghost Girl reminded him that he'd struggled to where Akira remember anything about him, prompting Ai to borrow Earth's catchphrase and Blue Angel wereclaim he was socially awkward himself. Earth then Link Summoned "[[G Golem Crystal Heart (anime)|G Golem Crystal Heart]]", using which filled the antidote to cure Blue Angel to allow her area with vibrant life, something Playmaker observed to log out of Link VRAINSbe more than a monster effect. Akira thanked Ai told him for saving Blue Angelit was one of Aqua's monsters, but Playmaker logged out before Akira could finishand wondered why Earth had it. Yusaku became tired <ref name="ep66" /> Earth revived "Invalid Dolem" with "Crystal Heart" and distressed as he logged outboosted its ATK, destroying "Zombie Prosaber". He asked Shoichi if was Aoi alright before collapsing. When Shoichi showed him Playmaker counterattacked with "Cyberse Clock Dragon", attempting to end the Duel in one attack by attacking "Crystal Heart", but the effect of "Invalid Dolmen" redirected the attack to it, then negated the footage on how Aoi effect of "Clock Dragon" once it was doing, Yusaku fell asleepdestroyed. Ai commented then told Playmaker that Earth hadn't liked how lazy Yusaku close he wasto Aqua, and had claimed he would protect them himself. Shoichi told Playmaker asked why he needed to hear this, and Ai explained that this meant that heroes needed rest too. Yusaku dreamed about RevolverEarth's words regarding Ignis with free willDeck was full of his feelings for Aqua. Earth revived "Invalid Dolmen" again and destroyed "Clock Dragon", which caused him reducing Playmaker to wake up100 LP, but Playmaker [[Spool Code (anime)|blocked his second attack]]. Shoichi sensed Earth then revealed that he was thinking about what Revolver told about aware that Ai was overacting, much to Ai's embarrassment. Since they could not prove that Earth then asked Playmaker why he was with Ai, as Ai was actually aliveseemed to hold him back, and Ai made claimed that assertionthey were partners. Playmaker claimed he'd never thought of Ai used the program as such, but stated three reasons why; that they shared goals, enemies, and were willfully with one another, so he obtained from Revolver didn't mind being labeled as partners, much to regain his full body. However, Ai's size didnjoy. Playmaker brought out "[[Clock Lizard (anime)|Clock Lizard]]" and "Security Dragon" and attempted to return "Invalid Dolmen" to Earth't impress Yusaku s hand, but Earth revealed that "Invalid Dolmen" was unaffected by monster effects while it was co-linked. Playmaker and ShoichiAi claimed they were just getting warmed up, who tried and re-Fusion Summoned "Cyberse Clock Dragon" using the effect of "Clock Lizard". Earth countered by destroying "Invalid Dolmen" himself to determine if Ai regained some negate the effect of "Clock Dragon" and then revived it to protect "Crystal Heart", but Playmaker had predicted his memoriesmove, and he was able to reduce its ATK to zero with the effect of "Clock Lizard", allowing "Clock Dragon" to destroy it and defeat Earth in the same manner as he'd defeated Spectre. As promised Earth revealed what he knew about Bohman, which turned out to be nothing. He returned them to LINK VRAINS, and as Ai complained over Dueling Earth for nothing, Playmaker wondered what Aqua had meant by the Cyberse breaking apart, as it troubled him. <ref name="ep12ep67">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1267|ref}}</ref>

As Yusaku was eating hot dogs, he witnessed [[Emma BesshoFile:Playmaker perceives the Cyberse using his Link Sense.png|250px|thumb|left|Playmaker searches for Ai.]] visiting Roboppi later informed Yusaku that Ai had gone missing, and Yusaku took it and his Duel Disk to Café Nagi Nom for analysis, introducing Roboppi to order chili dogs Kolter and Theodore. Kolter found that Ai and Roboppi had been browsing a website with a coffee. She inquired Shoichi about crossword offering an Ai pin as a [[Charisma Duelist]] and mentioned she was interested in Dueling Playmakerreward, intriguing Yusakuwhich hid an Ignis algorithm that led to a gate. After Emma left, Yusaku noted how stress Shoichi was and decided asked Kolter to connect the gate to LINK VRAINS to help allow him delete the files regarding Playmaker. As they were deleting filesto enter, Shoichi but he asked where Ai Theodore to remain behind as he didn't trust Windy and wasworried it could be a trap. Yusaku told him that Playmaker logged in and found himself in a replica of the Cyberse, and he left used his [[Link Sense]] to find Ai at home because he was annoyinginside Windy's palace. Despite thisPlaymaker found Ai talking with Windy and [[Lightning]], Yusaku wondered about Revolverthe [[LIGHT|Light]] Ignis, who stated that they wanted Ai's words about AI with free will. Knowing Revolver unleashed help in rebuilding the attack on Cyberse and searched for that Ai, Yusaku claimed Revolver destroyed the Cyberse worldshouldn't be with humans. Still, he wondered Lightning asked if it was wise Playmaker believed them to seek Revolver out for answers about Yusakube humanity's pastsuccessors, and about Shoichi's brotherPlaymaker stated that whether they were or not, sudden change would only hurt many people. He Ai then inadvertently deleted attempted to leave with Playmaker, asking Lightning and Windy to give them time to find a big scoop way to coexist with humans, but Lightning and Windy promptly imprisoned them. Playmaker protested that would have revealed everything Playmaker they didn't intend to fight the Ignis, but Lightning and Shoichi knew involving Windy didn't want to take the chance. He realized that Windy had been the one who removed Ai 's lock on his Duel Disk, and that the Knights Ignis had anticipated all of Hanoi, which was about to be published by [[Frog (character)|Frog]] and [[Pigeon]]their moves.<ref name="ep13ep68">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1368|ref}}</ref>

At homeBefore Lightning and Windy could rewrite Ai's personality, Yusaku thought about RevolverVaris arrived and dispelled Windy's words about AI Data Storm, vowing to kill the Ignis.<ref name="ep68" /> Playmaker tried to dissuade Varis from attacking the Ignis, as there would be no turning back from a war with free will in them otherwise and he urged him not to live by hatred and revenge, as Playmaker knew better than anyone that it prevented them from moving forward. Varis claimed that his hidden room. Shoichi called father's ideals were what moved him forward, and Windy challenged him to come a Duel. Playmaker begged Varis not to Cafe Nagibe tied down by his father's ideals, where Shoichi showed him an encrypted message on an Internet forum, sent but Varis spurned his statements given Playmaker's own history of revenge and threatened to bury Playmaker if he opposed him from Ghost Girl. Shoichi explained Helpless to stop them, Playmaker watched Varis and Windy's Master Duel, and noted Varis's use of "[[Magic Cylinder (later anime)|Magic Cylinder]]", commenting that he had created a program Varis always surpassed their expectations. He noted to help Ghost Girl enter Ai that neither outcome of the Data Storm during Duel was desirable, as both Windy and Varis wanted to harm Ai and the Duel with Revolverconflict between humans and Ignis would simply escalate. The two read how she requested a Duel from Varis Link Summoned "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", allowing Windy to steal "Magic Cylinder", though Playmaker, noted that Varis could block it with Ai as the wagereffect of "Borreload Dragon". Yusaku acceptedWindy was able to [[Stormrider Turbulence|negate the effect]] of "Borreload" and force it to attack, stating that she bringing Varis down to 300 LP with "Magic Cylinder".<ref name="ep69">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|69|ref}}</ref> Windy offered a backdoor to SOL Technologiesspare Varis if he surrendered, but Varis rejected Windy' data bank, s offer and Shoichi confirmed revealed that fact, showing she did send Windy had caused a bit of the car crash to kill his partner rather than steal his consciousness data as proofhad been done with Jin. Yusaku Varis asked Shoichi Playmaker if he understood the true nature of the Ignis, before making a comeback against Windy and reducing him to reply 900 LP. This allowed Windy to use "Storm Access" during the Master Duel, and Playmaker realized that Windy had given Bohman the power to use it himself and that the Ignis were responsible for kidnapping Jin. Windy told them he'd reveal where Jin was after defeating Varis, and reduced him to 100 LP with the new monster he'd acquired "[[Stormridership Bahamut Bomber]]", though Playmaker noted that Varis would accept her challengefight to the end. The [[Faust|Commanders]] [[Dr. Ghost Girl soon Genome|of the]] Knights of Hanoi arrived, and then Spectre and Soulburner entered LINK VRAINSWindy's palace. Soulburner and Flame were shocked to see that Playmaker and Ai had been imprisoned, and Yusaku went to do Ai told them that it had been Windy and Lightning who had imprisoned them, not the sameKnights. Shoichi wondered if Yusaku would really go Lightning then attempted to imprison Soulburner, Flame, and Duel herSpectre as well, since she could've set another trap. Yusaku claimed he but Flame blocked him with data that Kolter had created, and proceeded to uncover the truth behind the incidentfree Playmaker and Ai. Varis then Summoned "[[Rokket Synchron (anime)|Rokket Synchron]]", and Playmaker realized that it was a [[Tuner monster]]. Varis then [[Synchro Summon]]ed "[[Borreload Savage Dragon (anime)|Borreload Savage Dragon]]", hoped in equipping "Borreload Dragon" to it and defeating Windy. Varis immediately ordered the data bank there was some information about Knights of Hanoito erase Windy despite Playmaker's protests, though Lightning rescued Windy from their virus. To Playmaker's shock, Bohman and sensed some determination Harlin arrived, and Playmaker immediately asked what they had done with Jin. Lightning then revealed that Jin was his partner and had been present the entire time in Ghost Girl, despite her weaknessesan illusion.<ref name="ep14ep70">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1470|ref}}</ref>

Playmaker quickly met up with Ghost Girl told Jin that he'd save him, but Lightning explained that Jin was trapped deep within his own consciousness and she showed couldn't respond. He revealed that he had kidnapped Jin to prevent him from affecting him her program she set as a stake Ai and Playmaker did for one another with their Link Sense, and that he had been responsible for the Dueldestruction of the Cyberse. Playmaker wondered why wouldn't she access Lightning claimed that he had done so to clarify where the Ignis stood after the data bankKnights of Hanoi attacked them, despite the existence of "error codes" that still wanted to coexist with humanity. Varis accused Lightning of not trying to solve matters peacefully, and Lightning claimed that he had, though Playmaker snapped that there was told Ghost Girl wanted his Ainothing peaceful about kidnapping Jin. Lightning then declared war on humanity, and he fled with Bohman, Harlin, so she could sell it and Windy to SOL Technologiessave his fellow Ignis from the Hanoi's virus. She admitted she grew more interested in Playmaker after his latest Duel, Ai, Soulburner and Flame pursued them, and wanted Soulburner tossed them a program that Kolter had made to battle allow him as a cyber treasure hunterto check on them. Despite Ai's warningsAs they chased Lightning, Playmaker accepted her Duel, as he revealed that he had been the two rode off on one controlling the Data Wind. In her first turn, Ghost Girl Summoned "Storm that saved them after their Duel with [[Altergeist Marionetter (anime)|Altergeist MarionetterSpectre]]" and Set two cards. Playmaker , as Lightning had his "[[needed them to defeat Varis while Lightning destroyed the Cyberse Wizard]]" attack, but was stopped by Ghost Girl. The Shepherd and Gore's "[[Altergeist Kunquery (anime)|Altergeist Kunquery]]"fellow Hunters arrived, and Lightning summoned a swarm of Bits and Boots to deal with them before unleashing a Data Storm at them from Windy. Bohman suddenly approached them and challenged Playmaker to a Speed Duel. Despite his attackAi asked if Bohman remembered who he was today, Ghost Girl was intrigued how and Bohman declared that he dared to attack, despite her Set cardsdid. Ghost Girl Summoned another "Marionetter", Set another cardAi was pleased for Bohman, but then Link Summoned "[[Altergeist Primebanshee (anime)|Altergeist Primebanshee]]"Bohman revealed that he was an A. She swapped one of her "Marionetters" for "Meluseek"I. Ghost Girl ended her preparations, and aimed created by Lightning to defeat Playmaker before he could use his Skill. As Ghost Girl initiated unite the Battle Phase Ignis and claimed she would win in that turn, Ai laughed, serve as she would make 2400 LP damagetheir successor. Both Although he accepted Playmaker and Ghost Girl scolded Ai for such thinking; Playmaker claimed no Duelist would make that simple math error, making Ghost Girl wonder why everyone was after "this dumb AI" which causes Ai he refused to get angrycoexist with humanity, Playmaker then told him to not likening it to get angry when she is telling the truth about himrelationship between humans and animals. Regardless, "Meluseek" attacked directly and sent "Cyberse Wizard" to the Graveyard, allowing "Marionetter" Playmaker found himself unable to attack directlyanswer, and allowing "Primebanshee" to do so as well. Ghost Girl smiled, feeling her dreams grow larger, and ordered Playmaker Bohman challenged him to brace a Duel with himself for his defeatand Ai on the line.<ref name="ep14ep71" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|71|ref}}</ref>

Ghost Girl [[File:Vrains 073.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker uses "Neo Storm Access"]]As they broke back into Windy's Cyberse, Ai lamented seeing the copy of his homeworld burning, not helped by Bohman confirming that he had destroyed the original Cyberse. Bohman suggested that they race around the Ignis Tower to determine who chose who went first, and Playmaker was forced to dodge the debris of one of the outerlying towers on the way, barely losing his race with Bohman, who chose to go second. Warned by Ai of Bohman's "Judgment Arrows", Playmaker set up a defense with "Cyberse Magician"Primebansheeand " [[Grid Rod (anime)|Grid Rod]]" and he was able to survive the attack of "Trident Hydradrive Lord" through minimum damage. On his next turn, Playmaker directly while he drew "[[Special SummonSuspend Wand]]ed " and equipped "Cyberse Magician" with "[[Lockout Gardna (anime)|Lockout GardnaResume Mace]]". Ai knew they would have , intending to use it to power up "Cyberse Magician" enough LP to continue and even use Storm Access, and exclaimed how destroy "badTrident Hydradrive Lord" this would be. However, Ghost Girl knew but Ai was just pretending, and decided not urged him to attack. Ai was in shockalso use "Suspend Wand", and Playmaker told claiming that something inside him his acting was horribletelling him that they needed to defeat Bohman now. On PlaymakerFollowing Ai's turnadvice, Ghost Girl swapped Playmaker equipped "MeluseekCyberse Magician" with "[[Altergeist Silquitous (anime)|Altergeist Silquitous]]Suspend Wand"as well, by using combining their effects to vastly increase the effect ATK of "PrimebansheeCyberse Magician", and also added an destroy "Altergeist KunqueryTrident Hydradrive Lord" , reducing Bohman to her hand700 LP. Playmaker He attempted to destroy her ace by Tributing finish Bohman off with "[[Backlinker Cyberse Witch (anime)|BacklinkerCyberse Witch]]", but Bohman was prevented by Ghost Girlable to block the attack and he angrily asked Playmaker why he had attacked so uncharacteristically. Bohman then realized that Playmaker had attacked on Ai's suggestion, and he explained that Ai had been driven by instinct that the other Ignis lacked.<ref name="ep72">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|72|ref}}</ref> On his next turn, Bohman used "Storm Access" to obtain and [[Altergeist Protocol (anime)|Altergeist ProtocolSpecial Summon]]". Ghost Girl claimed she could anticipate their every move: Playmaker attempted to revive "Backlinker" with "[[Striping PartnerRousing Hydradrive Monarch]]", but then used its "Judgment Dice" effect to clear Playmaker's field. Playmaker was stopped by able to combine the effects of his cards in his Graveyard to revive "Altergeist SilquitosLinkuriboh". Using and reduce the ATK of "Lockout GardnaHydradrive Monarch", both effects were negatedsurviving the turn. Ai apologized for his instinct putting them in this situation, but Playmaker claimed that it wasn't Ai's fault, though Ghost Girl had as Playmaker was the one final trap preparedmaking the decisions. Ai offered him a secret weapon; an upgrade to his Skill that he'd just finished. She Playmaker noted how the convenience of the timing, and Ai admitted that it had always been available, much to Playmaker was an interesting person's amusement. With this new Skill, "[[Neo Storm Access]]", as she suspected. Playmaker Link Summoned was able to enter the high-density Data Storm that surrounded the Ignis Tower and obtained the [[Synchro Monster]] "[[Underclock Taker Cyberse Quantum Dragon (anime)|Underclock TakerCyberse Quantum Dragon]]" and tried . As he prepared to Summon it, Bohman attempted to weaken disrupt him with the "PrimebansheeJudgment Dice". Ghost Girl countered that effect of "Hydradrive Monarch" again, successfully rolling the outcome he needed, though this time Playmaker was able to protect his monsters with the effect of "[[Altergeist Camouflage Cyberse Wicckid (anime)|Altergeist CamouflageCyberse Wicckid]]", . He Synchro Summoned "Cyberse Quantum Dragon" and protected used its effect to return "PrimebansheeRousing Hydradrive Monarch" from attacksto Bohman's Extra Deck and then attack again, but Bohman was able to end the Duel in a DRAW and escaped, vowing that he would defeat them in a new stage. Although Ai scoffed at Bohman saying such when he was the one fleeing, stating Playmaker admitted that Bohman's growth had reached exceeded his limitsexpectations.<ref name="ep15ep73">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|15|ref}}</ref>

Playmaker paid 1000 LP Soon afterwards, Roken visited Café Nom and he gave Yusaku a program to activate protect him from having his soul stolen by the Ignis, which Yusaku installed without hesitation once he knew what it was. Roken departed, commenting that the effect enemy of his enemy was his friend and bid Yusaku to survive the coming battle so that they could settle matters between them.<ref name="Balancer Lordep73"/> Yusaku decided to inform [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]] of Lightning and Bohman, making and he sent a message to Zaizen to meet him eligible at the harbor, remaining out of sight and using hoodie and a voice modulator to use Storm Accessconceal his identity, and Ai to confirm that he was Playmaker. Ghost Girl refused He told Zaizen about the other Ignis and that they wanted to let conquer humanity, and asked him activate to protect LINK VRAINS if the Skill need arose. Afterwards, they decided to search for Earth and Aqua, believing that they would likely be in danger from Lightning. Following Yusaku and Kolter's map of Earth's movements, Playmaker and Soulburner logged into LINK VRAINS and split up to search for Earth. Kolter soon contacted them and used her Skilltold them Earth was in danger, sending them Earth's coordinates, Secret Cure though Playmaker and Ai were the only ones close enough. They found Earth about to increase both playersDuel one of SOL Technologies' LPBounty Hunters, who revealed himself to be The Gore, but now thinner and strangely dissonant. Playmaker Special and Ai watched the Speed Duel uneasily, having sensed something strange about Gore, and they were shocked when Gore activated a new power, [[A.I. Dueling Chip|Brain Hack]] and Fusion Summoned "[[Scan DollDinowrestler Chimera T Wrextle (anime)|Dinowrestler Chimera T Wrextle]]".<ref name="ep74">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|74|ref}}</ref> Gore revealed that he had implanted an A.I. chip in his brain to gain the skills to defeat Playmaker, and paid 1000 LP but Earth was able to use counterattack, destroy "ProtocolChimera T Wrextle" on , and then activate his "Silquitos[[Stalactite Spear]]"Skill to inflict enough damage to defeat Gore. However, Ghost Girl believed he simply forgot about Gore intensified his Brain Hack and negated Earth's Skill with his newly-created "Kunquery[[Anti Skill]]" she still had in her hand. Blue Gal also arrived, reassuring Playmaker used Storm Access, but Ghost Girl went with that she wasn't here to Duel him into and that she only wanted to protect the Data Storm. HoweverIgnis, and she lost control asked about the status of her D-Board and fell off of it, Playmaker saved her and reminded her their the Duel was not over yet and let her go back on the D-Board. Playmaker Link noted that Earth held the advantage, but Gore Synchro Summoned "[[Excode Talker Dinowrestler Giga Spinosavate (anime)|Excode TalkerDinowrestler Giga Spinosavate]]", whose effect made two of Ghost Girl's Main Monster Zones unusable, and Tributed "Scan Doll" began to press Earth back. Earth was able to make his protect "code Talker[[G Golem Crystal Heart (anime)|G Golem Crystal Heart]]" attack twice. Since all of Ghost Girlfrom Gore's monsters could not be targeted for an effects, but Gore was able to attack target, it with "Excode TalkerGiga Spinosavate" attacked Ghost Girl twice, and Playmaker won destroy [[Gravity Protection|the Duel. Latercard that protected]] "Crystal Heart", Ghost Girl watched the moon, even if Ai reminded her that was just datadefeating Earth and capturing him. Ghost Girl, as promised, gave Playmaker the program ordered Gore to enter the SOL Technologiesfree Earth as he wasn' data bankt their enemy, but Gore didn't care and leftchallenged Playmaker next despite their previous alliance. Yusaku Before another Duel could start, Gore was logged out of the networkby SOL Technologies, and Shoichi started though he vowed to analyze it. However, Yusaku was too tired and fell asleepdefeat Playmaker the next time they met.<ref name="ep15ep75">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|75|ref}}</ref>

Roken visited Yusaku and Ai at the [[File:Playmaker in Stardust Road]] the mother computernext day and informed them that SOL Technologies had decompiled Earth into an imperfect source code that they could understand.png|thumb|Yusaku asked if the Knights of Hanoi had a spy in SOL Technologies, but Roken simply smiled and told them to be careful as he left|Playmaker infiltrates the mother computer system.]]Shoichi analyzed Ghost GirlAi was horrified by Earth's programdeath, showing Yusaku the schematics, looking like a maze. They both wondered how skilled Ghost Girl and he admitted that he was starting to have managed hate humans himself, much to hack into SOL TechnologiesYusaku' data banks shock.<ref name="ep76">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|76|ref}}</ref> The next day, Kolter found security footage depicting Blue Gal and Aqua fleeing from The Shepherd, and Shoichi promised he would finish by the time school though they weren't sure why Aqua was over for with Blue Gal, Yusaku and Theodore quickly logged in to enter the mother computer systemrescue Aqua from The Shepherd. While at schoolThey found Ghost Gal alone, Yusaku wondered and Playmaker asked where Aoi The Shepherd was. Ghost Gal explained that he'd logged out, and as he Soulburner and Flame asked where Blue Gal and Ai thought her brother forbade her from entering LINK VRAINSAqua were, to protect Blue Gal revealed herself with Aqua in her from any dangerDuel Disk. Ai noticed Yusaku actually cared about She changed her; Yusaku simply stated one should not give up on Dueling this way. As school was over, Yusaku went Avatar to Shoichi's van. Shoichi showed the path to the data bankBlue Maiden, but warned a lot of traps were set and noted that it was time for them to stop anyonefight together again. Yusaku started hesitatingPlaymaker agreed, and analyzed they affirmed their goals and declared that Ghost Girl also wanted something if she gave him the program, even if the information Yusaku could find there may not be that importantthey would fight. Still, he accessed the LINK <ref name="ep77">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS |77|ref}}</ref> They headed to enter the mother computer system - an eerie, dark place. To protect himself, Playmaker used a device location where Aqua had been imprisoned with Ghost Gal to navigate himselfsearch for any traces of Lightning's log, but Lightning had covered his tracks well and a rope to disguise him from security programsleft no traces. Once the security programs started to go after Playmaker, he launched three <ref name="ep78"[[Sphere Kuriboh (anime)>{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|78|Sphere Kuriboh]]" to shatter them without alerting anyone. Passing ref}}</ref> Further searches proved fruitless until Kolter detected a portal in LINK VRAINS and sent the first corridor, Playmaker arrived coordinates to the second one, in which a Data Storm was located. Playmaker was pulled towards it, and his rope broke, alerting the security chief, Kitamurateam. The latter sent two AI prototypes portal led to hunt after PlaymakerLightning's palace, who managed where he was Dueling The Shepherd through Jin. Lightning revealed that he intended to elude defeat the weakest of them. Howeverfirst, one of and Playmaker watched the AI-s caught up with him, and initiated a Duel with Playmaker. The AI prototype brought out "[[Tentacluster Nautilus]]", and tributed his recognizing "[[Tentacluster DrillwormArmatos Colosseum]]", making Playmaker discard all of his cardsas the location where he had Master Dueled Bohman. Playmaker drew a card, but had to sent it, due to <ref name="Drillwormep79">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|79|ref}}</ref> Ai wondered who they should support, ending up with no cards to play. The other AI prototype arrived and started attacking Playmakersuggested that Shepherd would likely free Jin if he won. He watched the Duel grimly, intending on grabbing surprised when Lightning discarded his Duel Disk. Much negated "Judgment Arrows" to everyoneactivate [[Armatos Legio Magica Alcum|an effect that cleared Shepherd's surprise, Blue Angel arrived, using her whip to grab the AI prototypefield]]. Playmaker muttered her nameLightning defeated Shepherd, as she declared she would be the one to defeat and Playmaker, learned that Ghost Gal and The Shepherd were siblings before Shepherd's data was erased and started a Duel with the other AI prototypeLightning escaped.<ref name="ep16ep80">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1680|ref}}</ref>

[[File:Playmaker at data bankenters the Data Storm again to use his Skill a second time.png|thumb|left|250px|Playmaker reaches the data bankuses his Skill a second time against The Gore.]]Playmaker muttered Blue AngelAfterwards, Yusaku, Theodore, Ai and Flame discussed the Duel and Lightning's skills. They were interrupted by Kolter picking up Earth's namesignal in LINK VRAINS, who came and Yusaku and Theodore logged in to repay protect Earth before SOL Technologies could find him for curing her. When they reached Earth's location, they were attacked by The Gore, now even more malnourished than before, who challenged Playmaker claimed he never indebted her; regardless, Blue Angel started the to a Duel with the other AI prototype. Continuing the DuelPlaymaker attempted to convince Gore to instead fight Lightning alongside them, but Gore refused, insisting that he had to defeat Playmaker to regain his pride. Playmaker banished "[[Dotscaper (anime)|Dotscraper]]" accepted Gore's challenge, and "Linkslayer" he tried to Special Summon "[[Dual Assembwurm (anime)|Dual Assembwurm]]" from end the Graveyard, with its ATK halvedDuel quickly, but Gore easily blocked his attacks and accused him of being scared of Gore and brought his "DotscraperAnti Skill" with its effect. Using "[[Cynet Defrag]]" to summon "[[Flick Clown]]" and use the latterTo Playmaker's effectshock, Playmaker had 1000 LP left to use his Skill to grab a Gore Link Monster from the Data Storm. Using his three Cyberse monsters, Playmaker summoned Summoned "[[Vector Square Archfiend]]G Golem Crystal Heart", and summoned "Cyberse Wizard" from his hand; the two monsters attacked the prototyperevealed that Earth's "Tentacluster" monsters, damaging it decompiled data had been added to 1100 LPhis A. He Tributed "Cyberse Wizard" to use the effect of "Vector Square Archfiend" to revive "Tentacluster Nautilus" and gained another attackI. He then destroyed "Tentcluster Nautilus" and defeated the AI prototype, who vanished into thin airchip. Playmaker entered realized that Earth's signal had come from Gore and that the Data BankDuel had been a trap, and was surprised he agreed with Ai's vow to see Akira, who expected him to be theredefeat Gore as Gore brought out "Dinowrestler King T Wrextle".<ref name="ep17ep81">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1781|ref}}</ref> Playmaker questioned Ghost Girl attempted to combat the "Crystal Heart"-boosted "King T Wrextle" by returning it to Gore's hand with first "Security Dragon" and Akirathen "Firewall Dragon", as but Gore countered both of his efforts and forced Playmaker to destroy "Firewall Dragon". Playmaker was able to fend off Gore's attacks, and he planned to force Gore to use "Anti Skill" to why they were in the data bankdefeat him with "[[Draw Discharge (anime)|Draw Discharge]]". When Ghost Girl explained Gore was able to counter that they were after the datamove as well, reducing Playmaker to 100 LP and blasting him off his Duel Board. As Playmaker figured out and Gore faced off, a Data Storm began to blow again, and Ai revealed that "Neo Storm Access" had another effect that could be used when Playmaker had 100 or less LP and had failed to gain a monster the first time he was just 'd used as a decoy for them to enter the data bankSkill. He ordered Akira to move, who refusedThis time Playmaker was successful, and admitted that he obtained the dataand [[Xyz Summon]]ed "[[Firewall eXceed Dragon (anime)|Firewall eXceed Dragon]]", thus knowing what happened reviving "Firewall Dragon" to return "King T Wrextle" to Playmaker ten years agoGore's hand. Akira claimed he had the right Gore was able to know about block the incident move and Playmaker asked of him force "Firewall Dragon" to hand the data over. Insteadattack, Akira asked but Playmaker was able to hand over Ignis destroy "[[World Dino Wrestling (later anime)|World Dino Wrestling]]" to attack more than one time a turn again and disperse, wanting reduce the ATK of "King T Wrextle" to shed some light over the incidentzero, and Ghost Girl added Akira was demoted, due allowing "Firewall eXceed Dragon" to the incident with Revolver. Yusaku claimed he would be the one to reveal the truth since destroy it didn't personally involve Akira and challenged him to a Dueldefeat Gore. He bet As Ai for the devoured Earth's datafrom Gore, a capture unit briefly trapped them, but was dispelled when Gore was logged out. Ai had Playmaker give Blue Maiden and Akira acceptedAqua "Crystal Heart", seeing this and Soulburner noted that Gore was the only way another victim of their fight. Playmaker agreed that they had to defeat Playmakerend it quickly.<ref name="ep18ep82">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|18|ref}}</ref>

Ghost Gal later sent them footage of Earth's final moments, and after watching it, Yusaku bitterly remarked that SOL Technologies saw both Ignis and Duelists as tools and walked out of Café Nom. Theodore followed Yusaku out and asked if he was okay, handing him his Duel Disk. He reassured Yusaku that what had happened to The Gore and Earth wasn't his fault, as they had been Duelists with their own ideals. Ai noted that war between humans and Ignis would likely escalate according to Varis and Lightning's positions, and Yusaku asked Ai what he and Lightning had discussed prior to his arrival at Windy's palace. Ai explained Lightning's belief that humanity would eliminate them, and Varis's discovery that Windy had attempted to eliminate his own partner. Yusaku noted that humanity had underestimated what it meant to give an A.I. free will, given the Ignis' advantages, and that it made humans fear them. Yusaku admitted that he wasn't sure if there was a way for them to coexist, but Ai and Flame urged him not to lose faith in that idea. Yusaku agreed and smiled, but stated that after their final battle was over, the Ignis had to hide to prevent themselves from being used and live their lives, somewhere isolated from the net.<ref name="ep83">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|83|ref}}</ref> Varis left a message for Yusaku at Café Nom disguised in the form of "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", asking to meet in LINK VRAINS. Ai, Flame, Playmaker, and Soulburner logged into LINK VRAINS and met with Aqua, Blue Maiden, and Ghost Gal in the upper levels. He explained that Varis wanted to meet with them, much to the collective shock of his allies, save Ai. Varis eventually arrived, erecting a barrier to ensure a secure conversation, and requested an alliance against Lightning, explaining that he had initially attempted to recruit The Shepherd. To Playmaker's shock, Soulburner refused and challenged Varis to a Duel to avenge his parents' deaths.<ref name="ep83" /> Ai wondered if it was all right; Playmaker explained that they needed to Duel to be able to work together. Varis passed his turn, and Soulburner was unable to finish him off, ending the Duel inconclusively. Varis revealed his identity to Soulburner, and Playmaker added that Varis had actually saved them from the Lost Incident. Varis assured them that they would fight over the remaining Ignis after defeating Lightning, and asked them to follow him. He took them to the old LINK VRAINS, where the Tower of Hanoi still stood, and explained that he intended to modify it into a scan program to find Lightning, asking them to help create the program to do so. Playmaker agreed, but told Varis that a new future might come to light as they battled, something that Varis claimed he would keep in mind. Yusaku and Kolter worked on the program that night, while Theodore and Flame stepped out for some air.<ref name="ep84">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|84|ref}}</ref> Kolter told Yusaku that Lightning would likely use Jin against him, and admitted that he wouldn't be able to refuse helping Lightning for Jin's sake. He asked Yusaku to promise to defeat him if this happened as Playmaker was the hope of many within LINK VRAINS, and Yusaku agreed that he would.<ref name="ep93">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|93|ref}}</ref> They finished the program the next morning, and Kolter asked if Yusaku wanted him to accompany them, but Yusaku asked him to remain behind. Kolter gave them a program that would continually broadcast their status, and Yusaku vowed to bring back Jin. They joined Blue Maiden, Aqua, Varis and Spectre at the Tower of Hanoi; Blue Maiden explained that Ghost Gal was keeping an eye on LINK VRAINS, while Spectre stated that the other Knights were backing them up from the real world. They activated the Tower's scan program, revealing that Lightning was hiding in a mirror world; "[[Mirror LINK VRAINS]]", and headed into a portal to the mirror world.<ref name="ep84" /> [[File:Yusaku furiousPlaymaker and Ai begin to fall due to the lack of Data Material.png|thumb|leftright|250px|Yusaku furious at AkiraPlaymaker and Ai fall from their Duel Board after Lightning cuts off the Data Material.]]As they travelled through the path, Playmaker saved Blue Maiden from turbulence, and he checked on the status of LINK VRAINS when they arrived, asking Kolter to keep him updated. BitBoots then accosted the group and engaged them in Speed Duels.<ref name="ep85">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|85|ref}}</ref> Playmaker Link Summoned defeated one with "[[Decode Talker(anime)|Decode Talker]]" , but then Mirror LINK VRAINS realigned with LINK VRAINS and cut off the Data Material flow, causing the team to fall from their Duel Boards. Playmaker and Ai found themselves trapped in a water-covered area and watched as footage of Lightning and Spectre appeared above them; Lightning claiming that he would defeat them one-by-one. Playmaker watched as Spectre claimed to have felt the death of Earth and noted that Spectre had felt the loss of a part of himself, though he denied feeling the same way about Ai. They watched as Lightning used its an [[Extra Link Materials - ]] to lock down Spectre's Deck, but Spectre was able to steal "Judgment Arrows" and counterattack. After Spectre Link Summoned his signature mother tree monster, "[[Stack Reviver Sunavalon Dryas (anime)|Stack ReviverSunavalon Dryas]]" , Playmaker noted that the outcome of the Duel was up for grabs.<ref name="ep86">{{episode|Yu- Gi-Oh! VRAINS|86|ref}}</ref> Despite Spectre's continued advantage, Playmaker remained wary of Lightning's unrevealed tactics. Spectre was able to revive create his own Extra Link and even an Ultimate Extra Link, but managed to anger Lightning, a state Ai claimed to have never seen Lightning in. Lightning brought out "[[Cyberse Gadget (anime)Armatos Legio Magnus Dux]]" and reclaimed "Judgment Arrows", destroying Spectre's Extra Link and then defeating him, taking his data.<ref name="ep87">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|87|ref}}</ref> The broadcast shut off, but soon started again, showing Soulburner and Flame opposing Windy. After silencing Ai when he claimed the other Ignis thought he was the strongest of them, Playmaker watched Soulburner and Windy's Duel silently.<ref name="ep88">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|88|ref}}</ref> Soulburner was able to defeat Windy, and Flame absorbed Windy's data.<ref name="ep89">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|89|Cyberse Gadgetref}}</ref> Playmaker noted that Lightning wasn't giving any second chances, and he watched as the broadcast started again, showing Blue Maiden Dueling Bohman. Playmaker noted the effectiveness of Blue Maiden's "[[Marincess]]" Deck in bringing out a Link-3 monster without reducing her hand size, but was apprehensive when Bohman forsook 5000 points of direct damage from his three "[[Coolant Hydradrive]]s" in favor of a new "Hydradrive", "[[Cubed Hydradrive Lord]]" . Playmaker learned that Blue Maiden was trying to save of of the other victims of the Lost Incident, [[Miyu Sugisaki]], and he realized that he and Soulburner weren't the only ones fighting to save someone. He was surprised to see Blue Maiden summon a "[[Gadget Token Marincess Crystal Heart (anime)|Gadget TokenMarincess Crystal Heart]]"; Ai explained that it would carry on Earth's memories. Bohman then demonstrated his power, causing Mirror LINK VRAINS to quake and claiming to have become one with LINK VRAINS. Blue Maiden decided to combat Bohman with effect damage; Playmaker prepared noting that she had given up attacking for the turn in order to do so, but Bohman was able to nullify it.<ref name="ep90">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|90|ref}}</ref> Bohman brought out a new ace monster, "[[Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch]]", and though Blue Maiden was able to dodge its deadly effects and destroy it, Bohman revived "Tesseract" and forced Blue Maiden into a loop, defeating her.<ref name="ep91">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|91|ref}}</ref> Bohman absorbed Blue Maiden, Aqua and Earth's data, then transported to Playmaker and Ai's location. He warned Playmaker that his offencenext Duel would test him emotionally, and Playmaker asked Bohman why he was telling him this. Bohman admitted he wasn't sure, but Akira tributed vowed to defeat Playmaker the next time they met and departed. Their surroundings were changed into a replica of the Den City plaza, with Kolter present, and Playmaker realized that the moment Kolter had warned him about had come; Kolter confirmed that he intended to Duel Playmaker to save Jin. Kolter began passionately, Summoning "[[Tindangle Base GardnaCodebreaker Zero Day (anime)|Codebreaker Zero Day]]" for and Setting a card, and Playmaker Link Summoned "Decode Talker" away from "Zero Day", reflecting that he and Kolter had acquired it together and that it symbolized their will to fight. He ended his turn without attacking, but to his shock Kolter Summoned "[[Tindangle HoundCodebreaker Virus Swordsman (anime)|Codebreaker Virus Swordsman]]" to weaken his the zone "Decode Talker" pointed to, increasing its ATK, though Kolter then Summoned a "Zero Day" to Playmaker's field and used its effect to reverse the ATK gain. Kolter allowed "Decode Talker" to survive so he could continue inflicting damage to Playmaker, though Playmaker was able to bring himself some reprieve with the second effect of "Decode Talker", getting rid of all of Kolter's monsters , but Kolter revived them at the end of the turn and activated Playmaker admitted that he couldn't fight Kolter.<ref name="ep92">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|92|ref}}</ref> He attempted to stall with "[[Lemoine PointLink Satellite]]" , but Kolter brought out "[[Codebreaker Virus Berserker (anime)|Codebreaker Virus Berserker]]" and destroyed it, reducing Playmaker to prevent 600 LP. Ai begged Playmaker from attacking face-down monstersto stop hesitating as Lightning and Bohman arrived. Kolter attacked, but Playmaker used "Cyberse Gadget[[Link Cancel]]" to return "Decode Talker" to the Extra Deck and Summon the monsters he'd used to Summon it, then endured the attack with the effect of "Gadget Token[[Protocol Gardna (anime)|Protocol Gardna]]" . Kolter told him to remember his promise, and with a wild cry, Playmaker made his decision and Link Summon Summoned "[[Decode Talker Extended (anime)|Decode Talker Extended]]", then combined it with "[[Flame AdministratorDecode Destruction (anime)|Decode Destruction]]"to defeat Kolter. The latterKolter congratulated him as he was erased, and Playmaker ran to his friend, trying to catch his data and sobbing his name. Lightning taunted Playmaker, until Playmaker revealed that Kolter had anticipated Lightning's effect increased plan, defiantly stating that Kolter had been proud of him, before collapsing, overwhelmed by the trauma despite his victory.<ref name="ep93"/> [[File:Urged by Kolter Playmaker finally wakes up.png|thumb|left|250px|Playmaker wakes up after falling unconscious.]]Lightning demanded Playmaker get up and Duel him, having Jin throw around his unconscious Avatar, but Playmaker remained unconscious.<ref name="ep94"Decode Talker>{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|94|ref}}</ref> Ai attempted to wake him up, but it was Kolter's spirit who finally coaxed Yusaku from his restless dreams, despite Yusaku wanting to sleep longer and claiming that he didn't care, but Kolter reminded him he still had to fulfill his final request. Playmaker woke to find Soulburner Dueling Bohman, but the Flame was attacked from within by Windy, who attempted to consume and Soulburner, and to Playmaker's" ATKshock and anger, enough Flame was forced to sacrifice himself to destroy stop Windy. Enraged by Flame's death, Soulburner Super [[Reincarnation Link Summon]]ed "Tindangle Hound[[Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix (anime)|Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix]]". Akira flipped , and he managed to roll the right Attribute to avoid the negative effect of Bohman's "[[Tindangle AngelJudgment Roll]]" Trap and launch a final attack. However, Bohman changed the Attribute of "Pyro Phoenix", reviving allowing the negative effect of "Tindangle HoundJudgment Roll" to defeat Soulburner. Playmaker watched in faceshock as Soulburner, Flame and Windy's data was absorbed by Bohman, who declared that he was ready to battle Playmaker now.<ref name="ep95">{{episode|Yu-down positionGi-Oh! VRAINS|95|ref}}</ref> As Playmaker bitterly remarked that Soulburner had known the potential sacrifice he'd been making, he felt himself shaking with rage. The broadcast started again, showing Lightning Dueling Varis, and forced Playmaker and Ai quickly took advantage of the destroyed barrier to fly to Varis's island. Bohman arrived at the same time they did, and Varis revealed Lightning's crimes to end them. He explained that his father's simulations had been incomplete; they truly showed that Lightning himself had no future with humanity and that he would corrupt that of the other Ignis. Playmaker was shocked by the revelation, but concluded that this was likely the Battle Phasecomplex that Spectre had mentioned during his Duel with Lightning. AkiraAs Varis made his moves, Playmaker noted how the effect of Lightning's "[[Armatos Gloria]]" restricted several of Varis's best counters, howeverthough Varis simply Link Summoned "Borreload Dragon".<ref name="ep96">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|96|ref}}</ref> Although "Borreload Dragon" destroyed "[[Armatos Legio Plumbum Trident]]", spoke about this allowed Lightning to place it in his Spell & Trap Zone as a ''new'' Link Spell and Aoisearch out "Judgment Arrows", and despite Varis's pastefforts to destroy it with "[[Mind Crush (anime)|Mind Crush]]", Lightning was able to activate the Spell and didnclaimed that a monkey like Varis couldn't wish destroy it. Ai realized that Aoi Lightning was captured by strangers talking just like Windy, and to Playmaker was's shock, Varis revealed that Lightning had rewritten Windy's personality. Akira told As Varis began Summoning monsters, Playmaker realized that he had two Level 4 monsters, and as he had anticipated, Varis Xyz Summoned, bringing out "[[Borreload eXcharge Dragon (anime)|Borreload eXcharge Dragon]]" and reviving his destroyed "Borreload Dragon", assembling an attack that would set things straightallow him to defeat Lightning. But before Varis could make his final attack, Lightning released Jin from his control and asked revealed that he had linked their consciousness data; if Varis attacked, he would destroy them both.<ref name="ep97">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|97|ref}}</ref> After Lightning revealed that he had linked Spectre's data to his own as well, Playmaker begged Varis not to attack, not only for Jin's sake but also for trusthis own, fearing Varis would revert to how he had previously been. Shoichi and Varis pointed out that Playmaker had defeated Kolter, but Playmaker became furiousstated that Kolter had been willing to sacrifice himself, seeing Akira understood nothing about themwhile Jin wasn't. Lightning was amused at the notion of Playmaker trusted saving him, and he revealed that he had tormented Jin during the Lost Incident, causing the more intense trauma he suffered from. Varis ended his turn without making his final attack, and Bohman then took Jin and Spectre's data from Lightning to force him to Duel fairly. Lightning also revealed that he had created the computer virus that Akira had infected Dr. Kogami, rather than SOL Technologies. Varis was able to survive Lightning's turn, and Playmaker noted that Varis would win the following turn using the same strategy he had previously. But to Playmaker's shock, Lightning ended the Duel in a good personDRAW with the effect of his "[[Armatos Legio Eques Flamma]]". Playmaker ran to Varis's side as he was erased, leaving the rest to Playmaker and Ai. Lightning then revealed he had survived by converting some of Jin's consciousness data into LP, but doubted he knew anything about gave himself to Bohman, granting Bohman the powers of five of the Ignis.<ref name="ep98">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|98|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker vows to believe in an open future.png|thumb|right|250px|Playmaker vows to believe in an open future with the Ignis.]]Declaring that it was time for their final battle, Bohman brought Playmaker and Ai to Mirror LINK VRAINS Central Station courtyard and claimed that the door to a new world would open after their Duel, creating an Ignis algorithm and building a new Deck using the powers of the other Ignis. When the Duel began, the pain algorithm activated and Playmaker and Ai both heard screams, which Bohman explained they were hearing due to their Link Sense, and he borecommented that Playmaker could have been the bridge between humans and A.I. Akira Bohman's strategy initially seemed to remain the same, as he brought out four different "Hydradrive" Link Monsters, but instead of Summoning a [[Flip Link 4 Monster Cards|Link-4 monster]] he continued to Summon monsters until he hand five "Hydradrive" Link-1 Monsters with different Attributes. Playmaker wondered if Bohman intended to Summona monster with five Attributes, though Ai was skeptical as there were no [[Link 5 Monster Cards|Link-5 monsters]] in LINK VRAINS. Bohman then activated a Skill, "[[Master Storm Access]]ed "Tindangle Hound, creating a Data Storm from the algorithm and creating the Link-5 "[[Chimera Hydradrive Dragrid]]". Bohman revealed that the algorithm was called a [[Neuron Link]], that it was using the brains of thousands of trapped humans in LINK VRAINS to create the Data Storm, and that he intended to absorb the consciousness of all humans to become the sole entity in existence. Unfazed by the Link-5 monster, Yusaku Synchro Summoned "Cyberse Quantum Dragon", intending to return "Dragrid"to Bohman's Extra Deck, but he activated his Skill again.<ref name="ep99">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|99|ref}}</ref> Playmaker heard the screams of the Neuron Link's victims as Bohman obtained and set swapped out "Tindangle AngelDragrid" for "[[Chimera Hydradrive Draghead - Aqua]]", negating the effects of "Quantum Dragon". Bohman claimed he had known Playmaker would Summon "Quantum Dragon" due to the voices of the people trapped in the Neuron Link who idolized Playmaker, and that Playmaker was effectively fighting all of LINK VRAINS. Ai claimed that Bohman only had a limited number of people to use, but to Playmaker's horror, Bohman revealed that more people were logging into faceLINK VRAINS. He thanked Playmaker for serving as the basis for his heart, and offered to give him happiness within him if he surrendered. Playmaker refused to accept a world built on the sacrifices of others, disappointing Bohman, who used his Skill to bring out "[[Chimera Hydradrive Draghead - Flame]]" to destroy "Quantum Dragon". Playmaker was able to save "Quantum Dragon" from the effect of "Draghead -down position Flame" by using the effect of "Cyberse Synchron", but he was unable to save it from "Draghead - Flame's" attack. As Bohman talked about the voices he heard within him and claimed that he would make an ideal world, Playmaker considered that Bohman had described himself as an evolution of Playmaker and he realized that Bohman was lonely as Playmaker had been, impressing on him the value of listening to one's friends. Refusing to let Bohman sacrifice everything, Playmaker Fusion Summoned "Cyberse Clock Dragon" and gained increased its ATK high enough to beat "Dragrid".<ref name="ep100">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|100|ref}}</ref> Faust then contacted Playmaker, warning him not to reply to avoid alerting Bohman and explaining that the Commanders were working alongside Zaizen and Ghost Gal to attackthe Neuron Link when Bohman used his Skill. Bohman then activated his Skill, plus weakening and as Playmakerand Ai watched, he realized who was behind the attacks and subsequently claimed that Zaizen and Ghost Gal had been assimilated by the Neuron Link, asking if Playmaker had been depending on a miracle. Playmaker replied that he had believed in his allies, and the Neuron Link suddenly stopped. Bohman regardless attempted to activate the effect of "Dragrid", but failed to Summon a "[[Chimera Hydradrive Draghead|Draghead]]" and Playmaker quickly destroyed "Dragrid" with "Clock Dragon", bringing Bohman's monstersLP equal to his. Akira attacked Bohman then attempted to rebuild the Neuron Link, but Ai left Playmaker's Duel Disk, urging him to remember the bonds he'd formed with his friends and not to be afraid to make new ones as he sacrificed himself to stop the Neuron Link. Bohman called Ai's sacrifice useless, infuriating Playmaker, but Bohman was able to briefly reactivate the Neuron Link anyway, using Mirror LINK VRAINS itself as data just for the chance to defeat Playmaker. He revived "Dragrid" and activated "Judgment Arrows", then used "Dragrid" to Link Summon another Link-5 monster, "[[Perfectron Hydradrive Dragon]]". Playmaker was able to reduce the ATK of "Dragrid" to zero with the effect of "Linkuriboh", but the effect of "Perfectron"Flame Administratordestroyed "Clock Dragon" and halved his reduced Playmaker to 100 LP. Bohman declared the Duel was over, but Playmaker vowed not to lose for Ai's sake.<ref name="ep101">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|101|ref}}</ref> [[File:Playmaker takes hold of the power of the Ignis.png|thumb|left|250px|Playmaker is granted the power of the Ignis.]]Ai then returned, and Playmaker commented that he'd come back faster than he usually did. Ai explained that he'd left a backup in [[Roboppi]], and that he intended to use the weakness in the Neuron Link to rescue the other Ignis from within Bohman, believing that they needed their power to defeat Bohman. Playmaker warned Ai to be careful, but Ai was unable to save the other Ignis, returning with the last of their power. Playmaker vowed not to let that power go to waste, and he began a chain of Summons bolstered by "[[Cynet Codec (anime)|Cynet Codec]]", Ritual Summoning "Cyberse Magician" and Xyz Summoning "Firewall eXceed Dragon", but immediately used "eXceed Dragon" to Link Summon "[[Limit CodeTranscode Talker (later anime)|Transcode Talker]]" . Bohman was confused by Playmaker's goals, and Playmaker claimed that he could hear the voices of everyone in LINK VRAINS, but that Bohman could not because he had not desire to connect with others. He used the power of the Ignis to bring out create his own Link-5 monster, "[[Firewall Dragon Darkfluid (anime)|Firewall Dragon Darkfluid]]" and powered it up to its maximum counters and ATK, using its effect to draw "Perfectron" into a loop that depleted its Hydradrive Counters and prevented it from destroying "Encode TalkerDarkfluid", defeating Bohman at last.<ref name="ep102">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|102|ref}}</ref> Defeated, Bohman congratulated Playmaker and bid him farewell, though he warned Ai that he had closed the future of the Ignis and hoped he wouldn't regret it. Mirror LINK VRAINS was destroyed along with Bohman, and Playmaker and Ai were returned to LINK VRAINS, where they observed the bodies of the Neuron Link's victims, and Playmaker stated that the cost of reducing its their victory had been too high.<ref name="ep102" /> As Ai lamented the loss of their friends, Bohman's victims began to reawaken and Ai realized that he had freed everyone. Soulburner, Blue Maiden and The Shepherd reappeared as well, and [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]] and [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]] met them as they saw the final remains of Mirror LINK VRAINS crumble. As Playmaker commented that it was finally all over, Soulburner asked what had happened to [[Flame (character)|Flame]], and Ai apologized and fled in shame.<ref name="ep103">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|103|ref}}</ref> Yusaku found that Roboppi had also deactivated, and a significant amount of time passed with no word from either. With [[LINK VRAINS]] shut down due to the events that had happened there, Yusaku continued filling in at Café Nom for Kolter when he went to visit Jin. Kolter explained that Jin's memories of the Lost Incident had vanished and Yusaku speculated Lightning's use of his data as LP had been responsible. Skye greeted him one day, expressing surprise that Yusaku was still working there and Yusaku explained his situation. Skye told him she had visited due to his proximity to the hospital as she had been visiting someone as well. They talked about the [[SOLtiS]]', Skye suggesting that Yusaku might not have to work at the food truck anymore before bidding him goodbye. Theodore arrived as Skye left, commenting that she would be surprised to learn their identities, though Yusaku believed Skye didn't need to. They talked about Jin, Ai and Flame, Theodore suggesting Ai's backup had affected Roboppi. Yusaku apologized for Flame's death, though Theodore reassured him it wasn't his fault and noted that Ai likely felt responsible too. As Theodore admitted he'd never expected to work with the [[Knights of Hanoi]] and he and Yusaku discussed the differences between humans and A.I., Theodore suggested that it might be impossible for humans and A.I. to coexist. Yusaku himself believed there was still hope given the bonds they'd formed with Ai and Flame, but then Roken and Spectre arrived, warning them that they would continue to monitor the network for any problems, including Ai. Yusaku protested that the danger had been due to Lightning's schemes and that he wanted Ai to live happily, though Roken still didn't trust Ai and he warned the Hanoi would show no mercy if they got in his way.<ref name="ep103"Decode Talker/>  ===Ai===Yusaku visited [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] at [[Café Nom]] and told him of his theory regarding [[Jin Kolter|Jin]]'s memory loss, something Kolter called a blessing in disguise. Yusaku admitted that he didn't think [[Ai]] would return, and Kolter suggested his life could begin again as another advertisement for the [[SOLtiS]] came on. That night, Yusaku returned home and looked at [[Roboppi]]'sempty body.<ref name="ep104" ATK>{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|104|ref}}</ref> The next day after school, [[Theodore Hamilton|Theodore]] tried to tell Yusaku something, but then dismissed it as nothing. Kolter then called them to Café Nom, explaining that [[Akira Zaizen|Zaizen]] had asked to meet with him. Playmaker, Soulburner and Unnamed logged into the defunct Central Station and met with Zaizen and [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Maiden]], though Zaizen waited until [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]], [[The Shepherd]] and [[George Gore|The Gore]] arrived before explaining why he had called them. Playmaker asked Gore if he had recovered, and Gore confirmed that he had, thanking Playmaker, but refusing to elaborate. Zaizen explained that [[Queen]], the CEO of [[SOL Technologies]], had been attacked and her code key stolen; if the culprits obtained Zaizen's, they would be given control of the company. Zaizen showed them the message the culprits had left identifying themselves; two SOLtiS who identified themselves as Ai and Roboppi, stating that they would be coming for Zaizen in three days. Playmaker was utterly floored by the revelation that Ai was now opposing humanity and The Shepherd accused him of knowing Ai's location, though Soulburner, Zaizen and Gore defended Playmaker, noting he would have gone after Ai himself had he known his intentions. Empathetic to Playmaker's position, Zaizen agreed to give him time to make his decision. That night, Yusaku and Theodore discussed whether or not they would fight, and Theodore revealed he intended to return home after stopping Ai. Yusaku visited the [[Stardust Road]], remembering setting Ai free after stopping the [[Tower of Hanoi]], but still hadn't made a decision by the next day. After school, [[Naoki Shima|Shima]] approached him looking for Playmaker , as Skye had asked him to, though he ran off to check the forums before Yusaku could compromise himself. As he headed to Café Nom, he saw Akira knew nothing Zaizen and Skye in the plaza, and they reconvened with him to a playground; Zaizen had finally realized that Yusaku was Playmaker. Zaizen thanked Yusaku for saving Skye from the [[Deleted]] virus and them both from the Tower of Hanoi and Bohman, though Yusaku claimed that their thanks were not needed, as he would have done so regardless. Zaizen was called away by work, but stated he was glad to have met Yusaku. Afterwards, Yusaku sat with Skye, who asked him not to fight against Ai, as she didn't want him to have to fight his goalown partner and she asked what [[Aqua (character)|Aqua]]'s final moments were like. Yusaku admitted he hadn't been present, but according to Ai, Aqua had given him the last of her power and urged him to stop Bohman, which Skye agreed was something Aqua would do. She asked to shake Yusaku's hand, telling him she was grateful for everything he had done for her and her brother, before departing.<ref name="ep105">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|105|ref}}</ref> Although he did not initially link up with Soulburner and their other allies, Yusaku came to the conclusion that it was his responsibility to prevent his partner from committing further crimes. Playmaker logged into the defunct Central Station, approaching it as Zaizen's defenders moved into position, and he noted that it would be a difficult battle.<ref name="ep105" /> Playmaker met up with Soulburner and [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] outside Central Station, and they soon detected three enemies, wondering if Ai and Roboppi had a third ally. Playmaker quickly engaged Ai, who stated that his desire for coexisted had caused the deaths of the other Ignis and that he was following Lightning's wishes as a result. As he claimed he'd made his decision and his mind couldn't be changed, Soulburner and Varis also encountered Ai, and they decided to Duel the three Ai to determine which was the original. Ai swiftly [[Link Summoned Summon]]ed "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister (anime)|Fire Phoenix @Ignister]]" and used "[[A.I. A.I. Wall]]" to prevent them from attacking, and his copies did the same in the other Duels. Ai confirmed that he and the other two were simply copies and that the real Ai was advancing towards Zaizen.<ref name="ep106">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|106|ref}}</ref> As they Dueled the copies, Kolter contacted them and asked them to hurry, as [[Baira|the]] [[Dr. Genome|other]] Duelists were in bad shape, though Playmaker was still hesitant to fight the copy of Ai, who warned Playmaker that he wouldn't be able to help his friends unless he broke his lock.<ref name="ep107">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|107|ref}}</ref> Kolter contacted Playmaker to warn him of Gore's defeat as Playmaker defeated the Ai copy with "Firewall [[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]", and the copy admitted he couldn't have defeated Playmaker, though they had been successful in stalling him.<ref name="ep18ep108" >{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|108|ref}}</ref> Playmaker, Soulburner and Varis entered Central Station, but found it empty; Varis explained that the Zaizens had been broadcasting from another location that Ai wouldn't be able to reach.<ref name="ep108" /> Varis informed them that Pandor was Dueling Ai on the Zaizen's plane and had the advantage, noting that she was almost as capable as the Ignis themselves. Playmaker asked Varis what would happen to Ai if he lost, and Varis replied that he would not show any mercy to Ai.<ref name="ep109">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|109|ref}}</ref>

===Shoichi KusanagiCal Kolter===Shoichi Kolter is one of the very few people Yusaku actively interacts with. The two are close friends and work together to fight The the Knights of Hanoi. Yusaku shows trust in ShoichiKolter's hacking abilities and even gave a brief smile when talking to him. Likewise, Shoichi Kolter hopes Yusaku can one day enjoy Dueling again. Shoichi Kolter also teases Yusaku about his poor social skills.

===Naoki Shima(The Brave Battler)===When they met, Naoki Shima tried to befriend Yusaku and Duel him, but Yusaku showed little interest and irritated Naoki Shima by criticizing his Dueling and analyzing him, despite Yusaku saying Naoki Shima isn't a bad person. Despite their initial encounter, Naoki Shima continues his attempts to befriend Yusaku and he often sits with Yusaku during class, much to the latter's annoyance. Naoki Shima is a big fan of "Playmaker", unaware that he's Yusaku. Yusaku has a tendency to forget NaokiShima's name repeatedlyand keeps ignoring Shima due to his belief that he doesn't need friends. However, when Shima was kidnapped by [[Faust]], Yusaku showed genuine concern for him.

Yusaku holds a deep grudge against the Knights of Hanoi over an unknown incident in and believes they're the pastculprits of the Hanoi Project. He swears revenge against the Hanoi and fights them whenever they make an attack. The Hanoi consider "Playmaker" to be a threat and plan to defeat him in order to retrieve Ai which "Playmaker" had captured.

[[Ai]] sees Yusaku as a partner, but Yusaku considers initially considered Ai to be nothing more than an object he needs to gain the upper hand against the Knights of Hanoi. He threatened to delete Ai in order to challenge a Knight, and ignored his pleas not to go back to VRAINS. Yusaku has little patience for Ai's antics and often doesn't let him talk. Nevertheless, Ai supports Yusaku in his Duels, though he claims to do so out of a desire for survival. Ai also seems to enjoy teasing Yusaku, but knows when things get serious. Likewise, Yusaku follows Ai's advice when needed. Despite being rude to Ai most of the time Yusaku slowly grows to genuinely care about himto some extent; this was seen when Ai was deleted affected by [[RevolverRoken Kogami|Varis]]'s "[[Fire Prison (anime)|Fire Prison]]" . Ai seems to have gradually warmed up to Yusaku and he showed legitimate concern for is keen on treating himlike a friend, showing that despite though the rockiness of their relationshipfeeling is not mutual. In the dub, Yusaku does view is less harsh to Ai as a friend and ally. He was also happy when Ai returned to , denying his Duel Disk claims less coldly and playfully teased often snarking gently at him rather than outright insulting him for coming back to hostage.

===Aoi Zaizen When Yusaku learns that Ai was based on him and that he had been lying to him, he coldly claims that Ai isn't his friend and that he never cared about him. (Blue Angel)===Aoi and In the dub, Yusaku are classmatesimplies that he claims this for Varis's benefit, though Aoi he is not aware still angry with Ai.) Despite this, Ai still saves Yusaku during their Speed Duel with Varis, and Yusaku continues to oppose the destruction of the Ignis. During his alter-ego but she seems be suspicious of his identity as Playmaker after noticing Master Duel with Varis, he has the same duel disk as him and asked Ai have a heart-to see his deck in order to confirm his identity-heart talk, and Yusaku directly asks Ai what the Cyberse is like. As "Blue Angel"Despite this, Aoi is shown he claims that he doesn't have a friend to develop an interest in YusakuVaris (despite Ai's alter-ego, "Playmaker", after he saved her from clear irritation at such a "[[Cracking Dragon (animeclaim)|Cracking Dragon]]"and Yusaku and Ai do not agree on the topic of Roken. She is shown to be grateful for "Playmaker" for saving her Once he defeated Varis and she even saved the Knights of Hanoi, Yusaku released Ai, lightly joking with him in return after before he fell from his D-Boardleft and seeming regretful that Ai had.

After Shoichi figured out that Aoi is "Blue Angel"Once they reunite in the second season, Yusaku tried to get close to her in order to get a lead on [[Akira Zaizen]] and SOL Technology regarding his past memoriesAi's relationship is far more positive and they work together better. Aoi on the other hand believed Yusaku wanted her for her connections to SOL Technologies no longer insults or demeans Ai as many others had tried (which is technically correcthe previously did, though not for he still rebukes him when needed. The two of them continue to grow closer in the reasons she assumed)ensuring Ignis War. Following their victory over Bohman, so she quickly dismissed him.Ai parted ways with Yusaku again, grief-stricken over losing his fellow Ignis

Yusaku was shocked when he discovered that Aoi may have ties to By the Knights of Hanoi showing that he never thought of her as an enemythird season, but he was still willing their relationship has become strained due to duel herAi's defection and agenda against SOL Tech. He was visibly disturbed when HanoiYusaku is emotionally hurt by Ai's card began damaging Aoi so he rushed apparent betrayal, and is conflicted about whether or not to trust Ai or fight him. He ultmately decides to end oppose Ai in the Duel as quickly as possible, out hopes of concern for her well beingstopping him and saving him. After the Duel, Yusaku also displays sympathy for Ai as he could understand how hurt Ai felt it was over the loss of his responsibility to help Aoi recover from her coma and willingly walked into a trap set by [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Girl]]Ignis friends.

Yusaku is shown and Ai serve as foils to each other as while both started out as happy individuals, both were subjected to deeply care for Aoi after he logged an immense emotional trauma that hurt them severely, while Yusaku started out following his duel as cold and anti-social, Ai was a happy and friendly individual with Revolver friends he asked to Shoichi if Aoi is alright cared deeply for. As the series progresses, Yusaku begins opening up and after she recovered from her coma Yusaku is shown able to be worried about her safety make friends with others, while Ai loses his Ignis friends in the Ignis War and well being that she doesnturned against humanity. During his duel against the Zaizens, Ai echoed Yusaku't attend school regularly and since her s statement from Season 1 during his duel with him she against Akira, claiming that time has stopped coming to LINK VRAINS. Ai also teases him moving for being worried about her or being linked with her which causes him to dodge the subjectand that he can't move forward unless he defeats all who stand in his way.

===Go Onizuka Skye Zaizen (GO OnizukaBlue Angel)===Skye and Yusaku are classmates, though Skye is not aware of his alter-ego but she seems be suspicious of his identity as Playmaker after noticing he has the same Duel Disk as him and asked to see his Deck in order to confirm his identity. As "Blue Angel", Skye is shown to develop an interest in Yusaku's alter-ego, "Playmaker", after he saved her from a "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". She is shown to be grateful for "Playmaker" for saving her and she even saved him in return after he fell from his Duel Board. After Kolter figured out that Skye is "Blue Angel", Yusaku tried to get close to her in order to get a lead on [[Akira Zaizen]] and SOL Technologies regarding his past memories. Skye on the other hand believed Yusaku wanted her for her connections to SOL Technologies as many others had tried (which is technically correct, though not for the reasons she assumed), so she quickly dismissed him. Yusaku was shocked when he discovered that Skye may have ties to the Knights of Hanoi showing that he never thought of her as an enemy, but he was still willing to duel her. He was visibly disturbed when Hanoi's card began damaging Skye so he rushed to end the Duel as quickly as possible, out of concern for her well being. After the Duel, Yusaku felt it was his responsibility to help Skye recover from her coma and willingly walked into a trap set by [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]]. Yusaku is shown to deeply care for Skye after he logged out following his duel with Varis he asked to Kolter if Skye is alright and after she recovered from her coma Yusaku is shown to be worried about her safety and well being that she doesn't attend school regularly and since her duel with him she stopped coming to LINK VRAINS. Ai also teases him for being worried about her or being linked with her which causes him to dodge the subject. In the dub, Yusaku shows somewhat more of a connection with Skye; openly declaring that he is fighting for Blue Angel during his second Speed Duel with Varis and stammering awkwardly when he tries to downplay calling the hospital for her and accidentally implies that she may not be special. ===George Gore (The Gore)===At first, Yusaku was indifferent to Go Gore who considers his alter-ego, "Playmaker", to be his rival. Go Gore was mad at Playmaker for stealing his spotlight and this grew worse when the children at the city orphanage, which he volunteered and donated to, started seeing Playmaker as a hero instead of him. After defeating him, Yusaku acknowledged Go Gore as a worthy opponent and started to respect his Dueling style, and even admitting to have enjoyed Dueling him. When Shoichi Kolter suggested recruiting Go Gore for their fight against Hanoi, Yusaku objected by saying that he did not want Go Gore to face this kind of danger.After Gore defeated [[Dr. Genome]], Yusaku became more willing to let Gore fight against Hanoi in the wake of the [[Deleted]] crisis and they formed an alliance. After his defeat at Varis's hands in the dub, Yusaku goes as far as to claim that he is also fighting for Gore's sake when he confronts Varis during their Speed Duel. By Season 2, Gore developed a grudge against Playmaker for being the one to defeat Varis and save LINK VRAINS, and became a SOL Tech bounty hunter in order to duel and defeat Yusaku. Yusaku had no interest in fighting Gore, instead believing they could still be allies. After Gore implanted the AI chip into his brain and defeated and captured Earth, Gore once again reaffirimed that he only cared about defeating Playmaker, forcing Yusaku to accept that Gore was no longer his ally, and was now a dangerous enemy. By the time of their second duel, Yusaku intially attemped to reason with Gore again but to no avail. After learning Gore had implanted Earth into his chip, Yusaku showed no heasitation in dueling Gore or any concern when Ai attemped to reterive Earth's data from him after deafeating Gore. By Season 3, the two of them are once again on friendly terms after Gore had the AI chip removed

Despite having a brief interaction with Yusaku at the hospital he Zaizen was grateful to him for locating his sister and informing him about her comatose status. He questioned Yusaku about his relationship to Aoi Skye and the latter responded they are only classmates. On the other hand, Zaizen dislikes Yusaku's alter ego "Playmaker" for having stolen Ai. Zaizen grew to utterly hate Playmaker after his Duel against Blue Angel which resulted in Skye falling comatose. Zaizen immediately assumed that Playmaker was the culprit for Skye's predicament and worked with Ghost Gal to turn all of LINK VRAINS into a trap to capture Playmaker. Zaizen then mercilessly tortured Playmaker and refused to believe Playmaker's explanation that it was Hanoi's fault for Skye being comatose. However, upon being informed of his mistake by Varis, Zaizen reluctantly freed Playmaker and was surprised that Playmaker didn't hate him for what he did. He was grateful to for Playmaker for saving Skye from the virus.

On the other handIn their next encounter inside SOL Technology's database, Akira dislikes Yusaku's alter ego "Playmaker" displayed pity for having stolen Ai. Akira grew to utterly hate Playmaker after discovering the data he was after, even insisting that Playmaker trust him to reveal the truth in his Duel against Blue Angel which resulted in Aoi falling comatosestead. Akira immediately assumed Compared to their previous encounter, Zaizen even demonstrates sadness for Playmaker, especially when he realized that Playmaker was the culprit for AoiSkye's predicament and worked with Ghost Girl to turn all of LINK VRAINS into a trap to capture Playmakerage. Akira then mercilessly tortured Zaizen felt that Playmaker shouldn't waste his youth chasing after the Hanoi Project and refused wanted to believe handle the situation himself, only for Playmakerto immediately refute Akira's explanation that it was Hanoi's fault for Aoi being comatose. However, upon being informed of his mistake by Revolver, Akira reluctantly freed Playmaker claims and was surprised maintain that Playmaker didn't hate him for what he did. He was deserved to grateful for Playmaker for saving Aoi from learn the virustruth himself.

In their next encounter inside SOL TechnologyWhen Zaizen is captured and threatened by Spectre during his Duel with Playmaker, Playmaker refuses to attack Spectre out of fear for Zaizen's databasesafety and instead plays defensively, Akira displayed pity for Playmaker after discovering the data he was after, even insisting that Playmaker trust despite Zaizen continually urging him to attack without worrying about him and reveal the truth in his stead. Compared Zaizen eventually takes it upon himself to sacrifice himself so that Skye's prior loss to their previous encounterSpectre wouldn't be in vain, Akira even demonstrates sadness for and his absorption by the Tower of Hanoi enraged Playmaker, especially when and he figures out that Playmaker is around Aoi's agesubsequently vengefully defeated Spectre.

===RevolverRoken Kogami (Varis)===When first informed about a hacker named "Playmaker" who was defeating Hanoi members, Revolver [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] initially suspected Playmaker was an agent from SOL Technologies but rejected the idea because SOL would act more publicly and dismissed Playmaker. It wasn't until Playmaker captured Ai that Revolver Varis became interested in him. Revolver Varis then switched all his efforts into defeating Playmaker before SOL did, as doing so was the only way to capture Ai.

Playmaker, on the other hand, hates Revolver Varis for being Hanoi's leader and vowed to defeat him and discover his true identity. During their first Duel, Revolver Varis claimed that he wasn't interested in Playmaker's identity and considered him to be just another of the many people who hates the Hanoi. However, during their second Duel, Varis recognized Playmaker's speech pattern of listing out three reasons and was disturbed when Playmaker mentioned about a certain incident that happened ten years ago. He chides Playmaker for siding with SOL Technologies without knowing the truth and, after the Duel, is eager to uncover Playmaker's true identity, to the extent of requesting more time from his father before the completion of Hanoi's program, in which the latter agrees under the condition it did not take too long. After they learn one another's identities, Yusaku and Roken's relationship changes substantially. After realizing that Roken not only saved him, but also talked to him while he was captured and taught him his three reasons philosophy, Yusaku became determined to save Varis from himself, wishing to become his friend. He threw aside his desire for revenge and stated that he wished to create a new future with Roken. Despite Yusaku's efforts, Roken rejected his offer and continued to oppose the Ignis. Nevertheless, Yusaku still trusts Roken deeply and continues to hope that they can become friends. He believes fiercely in his capacity to change, begging him not to destroy Jin's data in order to defeat Lightning as this would revert Varis back to his old ways. ===Emma Bessho (Ghost Gal)===Emma showed an interest in Playmaker. After witnessing his Duel against Blue Angel, Ghost Gal caught him in a trap under Zaizen's orders to interrogate him about Skye's condition. Her interest in him continued to grow after watching him defeat Varis and Dueling him herself, even admitting that he exceeded her expectations. The two explored LINK VRAINS underground, though Ghost Gal continued to deceive Playmaker by letting him go in the wrong direction which led to him and Ai being chased by a data monster. Before being absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, Ghost Gal entrusted Playmaker with the data for the Tower and attempted to warn him about Varis's dangerous card. Playmaker in turn was angry for not being able to save her and vowed to do so, passing on her advice to Blue Angel and The Gore.

====Knights of Hanoi====[[File:Yusaku and his monsters.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku (as Playmaker) with "[[Encode Decode Talker (anime)|Encode Decode Talker]]" and "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]".]]Yusaku uses a '''[[Cyberse]] Beatdown Deck''', which he initially found after solving an urban legend. <ref name="ep64" /><ref name="VRAINSED3">''Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS'' Ending 3: [[BOY]]</ref> His main strategy involves using methodically calculated moves to overwhelm the opponent with [[Link Monster]]s. His early turns are usually slow, with him setting up his bigger combos for later while analyzing the opponent's strategies. Once his field is set up, he [[Link Summon]]s multiple weak Link Monsters at once to then use them as Materials for his stronger ones such as the "[[Code Talker (archetype)|code Code Talkers]]", and "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]". His other Link Monsters can also act as support for his primary ones. Yusaku also makes regular use of cards which banish themselves or other cards from the [[Graveyard]] or hand to activate effects, granting him access to a steady stream of resources even with an empty field or hand.

[[File:Decode Talker materializing.png|thumb|left|250px|"Decode Talker" materializing into a real card.]]After capturing [[Ai]] and unlocking the "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]" [[Skill]], he can obtain new Cyberse [[Link Monster]]s when his [[LP]] are 1000 or below during a Speed Duel when a [[Data Storm]] is near. To this end, he usually allows himself to drop below 1000 LP. The Link Monsters gained this way expand his arsenal of monsters for the current Duel and future Duels alike and typically help turn a disadvantageous situation in his favor. And as As shown with "Decode Talker", the data of the Link Monsters added by his Skill will start materializing can materialize into a real cardcards with the proper equipment. In case the opponent tries to prevent "Storm Access" from activating by not dealing Damagedamage, Yusaku also uses cards with effects that cost require him to pay LP to get around it. During his Duel with The Gore, spectators likened this strategy to Gore's habit of letting his opponent take the lead, then making a comeback from a pinch.

During Yusaku also used three copies of "[[Sphere Kuriboh (anime)|Sphere Kuriboh]]" as shields during his Duel with Go Onizuka, spectators likened this strategy to Goinfiltration of [[SOL Technologies]]'s habit of letting data bank. Whether or not they are in his opponent take the lead, then making a comeback from a pinchDeck is unknown.<ref name="ep16"/>

Yusaku also used three copies {{Decklist|Knights of "Hanoi| skill = [[Sphere Kuriboh Storm Access (anime)|Sphere Kuriboh]]" as shields during his inflitration of [[SOL TechnologiesStorm Access]]' data bank. Whether or not they are in his Deck or not is unknown.<ref name="ep16">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|16|ref}}</ref> {{Decklist||normal monsters =

* [[Digitron (anime)|Digitron]]|effect monsters =

* [[Bitlooper Bitrooper (anime)|BitlooperBitrooper]]* [[Boot Staggered (anime)|Boot Staggered]]

* [[Fault Tolerlancer]]* [[Flick Clown (anime)|Flick Clown]]

* [[Striping Partner (anime)|Striping Partner]]* [[Swap Cleric (anime)|Swap Cleric]]|link monsters =* [[Binary Blader (anime)|Binary Blader]]* [[Binary Sorceress (anime)|Binary Sorceress]]* [[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="decode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 002|episode 2]].</ref>* [[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="encode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 007|episode 7]].</ref>* [[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="excode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 015|episode 15]].</ref>* [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name="firewall">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|episode 10]].</ref>* [[Flame Administrator (anime)|Flame Administrator]]

* [[Link Bumper (anime)|Link Bumper]]<ref group=Notes name="link">This card is obtained via [[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 005|episode 5]].</ref>* [[Link Devotee (anime)|Link Devotee]]* [[Link Disciple (anime)|Link Disciple]]

* [[Vector Square Scare Archfiend (anime)|Vector Scare Archfiend]]<ref group=Notes name="vector">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 017|episode 17]].</ref>|spells =* [[Alert Lancer]]* [[Arrow Charge]]

* [[Spam Mail]]* [[Spool Code (anime)|Spool Code]]* [[Zero Extra Link (anime)|Zero Extra Link]]|traps =

* [[Cynet Refresh (anime)|Cynet Refresh]]* [[Doppler Phase Coating]]* [[Drop Frame Wedge]]* [[Limit Code (anime)|Limit Code]]

Additionally, Yusaku has a '''[[LIGHT]]''' dummy [[Main Deck|Deck]] for situations in real life where he has to show his Deck to other [[Duelist]]s. The Deck is poorly built extremely basic in addition to using very old cards, to make it seem seems like Yusaku is an a regular untalented Duelist.<ref name="ep6" />

{{Decklist||normal monsters =

|effect monsters =

|spells =

|traps =

! scope="col" | Opponent

| [[Knights of HanoiNumber 10 (character)|Knight of HanoiNumber 10]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 002|2]] || Win|-| [[George Gore|George Gore/The Gore]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 004|4]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 005|5]] || Win|-| [[Skye Zaizen|Skye Zaizen/Blue Angel]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 007|7]] || Win|-| [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 009|9]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|10]] || [[DRAW]]|-| [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|10]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 012|12]] || Win|-| [[Emma Bessho|Emma Bessho/Ghost Gal]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 014|14]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 015|15]] || Win|-| [[Prototype Green-A]] ||[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 016|16]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 017|17]] || Win

| [[Go OnizukaAkira Zaizen]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 004018|418]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 005020|520]] || Win

| [[Aoi ZaizenKnights of Hanoi|Aoi Zaizen/Blue AngelKnight of Hanoi]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 007024|724]] || Win

| [[RevolverFaust]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 009028|928]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|10]] || [[DRAW]]Win

| [[RevolverSpectre]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010035|1035]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 012037|1237]] || Win

| [[Emma BesshoRoken Kogami|Emma BesshoRoken Kogami/Ghost GirlVaris]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 014041|1441]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 015042|1542]] || WinDRAW

| [[Prototype Ai-ARoken Kogami|Roken Kogami/Varis]] ||[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 016043|1643]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 017046|1746]] || Win

| [[Akira ZaizenBohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 018047|1847]]-??? [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 048|48]] || Win|-| [[The Shepherd]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 053|53]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 054|54]] || Win|-| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 057|57]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 058|58]] || Win|-| [[Kenchi]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 062|62]] || Win|-| [[Yozaka]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 063|63]] || Win|-| [[Earth (character)|Earth]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 066|66]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 067|67]] || Win|-| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 072|72]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 073|73]] || DRAW|-| [[George Gore|George Gore/The Gore]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 081|81]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 082|82]] || Win|-| [[Bit]][[Boot]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 086|86]] || Win|-| [[Cal Kolter]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 092|92]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 093|93]] || Win|-| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 099|99]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 102|102]] || Win|-| [[Ai]] copy || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 106|106]], [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 108|108]] || Win|-| [[Ai]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 117|117]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 120|120]]|| TBDWin