Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 026 Deadly Russian Roulette

Woah, chapter, is the revolver loaded with its single bullet already? I don't know if I'm ready for this. Can I at least recover from the deadly game we had in the last one? Can't we have a friendly game of checkers or, I don't know, a cool computer game? Soma, maybe? It doesn't have to be a shadow game, either, because that game is already creepy as fuck. No?

Well, let's do this, then.

The very first panel does a better job of insensitively summing up the last chapter than I ever could. Bravo!

Jonouchi asks Yuugi if he's okay since his beating, and Yuugi responds that he actually feels great since Jonouchi got the puzzle back. Your wincing tells a different story, Yuugi. They're being chummy and smiley as a black car pulls up to them from behind. Out from the car steps a mysterious someone, who looks a bit like a bellhop. He asks if he was correct in identifying Yuugi and a friend, and says he's received orders from Seto-sama to come pick them up.

Oh, yeah, that's Kaiba's first name. Forgot that for a moment. Yuugi recognized it, though, looking confused. Jonouchi just looks surly. They go ahead and get in the strange car, like morons. Yuugi, do you remember when the Baby Kaiba forced you to play a game of Capsule Monsters at gunpoint? If that were me, I wouldn't be going anywhere at the behest of ANYONE close to him, even a maid.

Jonouchi wonders why Kaiba would ask to see them, and Yuugi says he hasn't seen Kaiba at school in a while. The bellhop driver, who has apparently been eavesdropping too, claims that Kaiba's been really busy lately working on important things, because he's the president of Kaiba Corporation. Jonouchi is shocked by this information, because Kaiba Corp is a big entertainment company, and Kaiba's just in high school.

I suppose that explains that wad of cash Younger Kaiba dropped for Old Man Dentures a couple of chapters ago, doesn't it?

Somehow, Yuugi hasn't heard of Kaiba Corp, and Jonouchi explains that Kaiba Corp makes games. Yuugi wasn't aware that there was so much pride at stake when he played against Kaiba before. I wasn't aware that Yuugi was aware it even HAPPENED. Wasn't it Yami that played? Were you awake for that encounter, unlike the others? Uh-oh, this is sounding like a pretty big continuity error...

Oh no, the little bastard was actually sitting in the car with you the whole time! Quick, do a Charlie's Angel roll out the side of the vehicle! Tuck in your limbs! Do it now!

Younger Kaiba chuckles about how it's been a while since they had fun the other day. Well, has it been a while, or did you just see each other the other day? Sheesh, killer babies and their warped sense of time... Yuugi is shocked that Younger Kaiba is in grade school and the vice president of a company at the same time. Seriously, Yuugi, where are your priorities? JUMP OUT OF THAT CAR!!

Younger Kaiba gives his first name as well, Mokuba, in a decidedly James Bondish way. I finally get to refer to him by something other than his age. Yuugi is nervous, thinking that he has a bad feeling that neither brother is a fan of his. What gave it away? The smack with the briefcase? The kidnapping and attempted maiming? Take your pick.

Mokuba tells Yuugi not to look so glum, because he and Jonouchi are special guests. His brother's big project is all done and tomorrow is the grand opening. Jonouchi repeats the phrase as a question, but it's ignored at first. Mokuba tells them that Seto Kaiba is so generous and kind that he's invited the two of them to the opening eve party. When Yuugi asks what kind of thing is opening, Mokuba avoids answering by telling him that it's a surprise, and he wouldn't want to ruin it. He keeps his thoughts about how it's Kaiba's revenge project "Death-T" to himself.

Mokuba saunters into the mansion, inviting Yuugi and Jonouchi to follow. They both gaze open-mouthed at the entrance hall, comparing it to a castle. Two rows of suited men are lined up at the foot of a staircase, behind a short old man in tinted glasses, waiting to greet Mokuba. Mokuba brags that they're all servants.

The old man addresses Yuugi, telling him that he's been ordered to attend to his every whim. Mokuba asks where his brother is, and is told that Seto went to take a nap. This does not please the killer baby, who moans that it's a special night and they have guests. The old man explains that Seto has been working for a few days straight without rest and he kind of needs it right now.

Mokuba turns to Yuugi and tells him the bad news, as though he couldn't just hear it with his own ears. Maybe the old dude was whispering? Mokuba says that they'll only have him to party with tonight, which sounds like the worst thing in the world just based on the fact that Mokuba is a tiny baby child. The old man offers to prepare their dinner, and Jonouchi says his stomach is ready. Mokuba asks why Jonouchi didn't say he was hungry earlier - aside from the fact that they just arrived? - and says that they're about to be served the best food in the world. Jonouchi's schtick today appears to be repeating the last words he hears, because he turns to Yuugi to tell him the good news about the best food in the world. Yuugi is stoked, dazzled by how accurate their comparison to being in a palace was earlier.

Mokuba tells the old head of staff to prepare their appetizers, and said old guy shuffles off to fulfill the order with a strangely sinister grin. Mokuba has a similar expression as he listens to Yuugi and Jonouchi enthuse about food, muttering that he can't wait either. He's actually more excited about how he's planning on getting his revenge for his previous defeat tonight.

Jonouchi is unimpressed, because the pitch was for amazing eats, not little kiddie meals. He's pissed. At first, Mokuba encourages them to eat as much as they want, but he says that would be boring. He invites them to play a game with him. Yuugi and Jonouchi look apprehensive as Mokuba directs their attention to the lazy susan that is set in the middle of the table, claiming they're usually in Chinese restaurants.

I don't believe you, Lying Murder Child!! Of course, I have an advantageous narrative view directly into your thoughts.

Jonouchi does not have this narrative view into Mokuba's head, so he's eager to get his eat on. Mokuba tells him to spin the lazy susan first, and Jonouchi does so only to have the kiddie meal land in front of him. Well, that's a disappointment. Mokuba says his rules state that Jonouchi has to eat the whole meal, or he's out. Besides, maybe this meal is the one that has the prize.

Jonouchi picks up his fork and digs in, commenting that the meal is better than he thought it would be while Mokuba watches him eat with an evil grin. After a bite or two, Jonouchi grunts in pain and doubles over, clutching at his throat. Yuugi asks Jonouchi what's wrong, but he has a suspicion that he's not quite willing to admit. Jonouchi continues to make noises without speaking, and Yuugi calls out his name in desperation.

You are both too naive for your own good.

Mokuba laughs maniacally as he announces that Jonouchi has won the prize. Yuugi stutters out a "what?" in disbelief as Jonouchi shudders and groans. Mokuba admits he poisoned the meal, because he's The Good Son or something, and also they're playing "Deadly Food Russian Roulette." The poison is set to kill Jonouchi in approximately half an hour.

Yuugi is shocked that the game they're playing is really some form of Russian Roulette. I'm shocked that since Mokuba apparently has access to guns, he's not making them play ACTUAL Russian Roulette. Mokuba holds up a vial with liquid inside, saying that if Yuugi wants to help Jonouchi, he'll win Mokuba's sick game. Yuugi grits his teeth as Mokuba silently urges him to change, eager to beat the other Yuugi.

Oh, there he is! Why do I feel like Yami is eventually going to eat his words here?

Anyway, Mokuba gestures to the lazy susan, on which he points out that there are five meals left, and one of them is poisoned. It's Yuugi's turn, so he'd better spin the roulette wheel. After a moment of glaring at Mokuba, Yami spins the lazy susan, and it lands on the spaghetti meal. Mokuba encourages him to eat with scary enthusiasm, and Yami complies, awkwardly stuffing pasta in his mouth as he glares at it.

Mokuba shouts that Yami is safe because there was no poison in the spaghetti. He tells Yami that since he didn't die from poison, he should feel the joy of living and the food should taste better. So THAT'S what he meant by the "best food in the world" comment. All Yami is thinking about, though, is that he needs to hurry for Jonouchi's sake. Mokuba says that it's his turn as he's fingering a fancy little bottle next to him. He spins the lazy susan and it stops on his favorite dish, the chocolate parfait. He shovels the sweet concoction into his mouth with satisfaction while Yami notes that he doesn't seem at all concerned. Yami wonders if there's some trick hiding up Mokuba's sleeve.

Obvi. Aside from the fact that he knows which meals are poisoned, and which are not, you remembered how he rigged the capsule dispenser machine the last time you were playing together, right? Or did you forget?

Yami recalls that Mokuba touched the bottle before spinning the table, and asks Mokuba what's inside.

Who says that? Who actually says that? No one, that's who!

Mokuba reminds Yami that it's his turn, relieved by Yami's lack of further inquiry. Mokuba thinks Yami might have almost figured out that the bottle is actually a switch that he uses to control where the lazy susan stops. Mokuba knows that he'll use this switch to put the poisoned hamburger right in front of Yami on this next turn.

Yami suggests that on the next spin, they both eat whatever's in front of them. Assuming, of course, that you don't get the pizza, which has no meal opposite anymore, since Jonouchi already ate that one, right Yami? There's also the possibility of Yami landing on no meal at all himself... Or, we could assume that if Mokuba agrees to this, he KNOWS that no one is going to get the pizza or an empty space. Otherwise we would have to believe that everyone just forgot the pizza existed, and we all know that's impossible! Hahahahahaaaa...

Mokuba says Yami's plan sounds just fine, so Yami spins the lazy susan. Mokuba notes how hard Yami spins it and laughs in his head about how much of an idiot he is because no matter what, that hamburger will be landing in front of him. His switch will make sure of that. Until, of course, Mokuba hears a heart-stopping shatter.

Whoops. Was that the lazy susan going off the track? No, it appears to still be spinning smoothly, and flinging food everywhere, I'm sure. Mokuba is wondering how the switch could have been destroyed just like I am, as Yami thinks that there will be no more tricks, just luck. The burger stops cleanly in front of Mokuba, who is still flabbergasted by the destruction of his precious switch. How was it done?

HOW did you not see it, Mokuba? You were looking at Yami the WHOLE time. You should not have been able to miss him taking the thing off his neck and tying it to the peg like that. Why does this thing have pegs anyway? Plot convenience?

Yami declares that he's finished eating, so his meal must not have been poisoned. He either eats like it's a race, or Mokuba has been staring at the puzzle for longer than necessary. Mokuba gets all sweaty again as Yami asks him why he hasn't touched his meal. Mokuba clenches his fists and mutters curses, but concedes to the rules of his own game by shoving the burger into his face. He collapses backwards in his chair, gagging, and in the next panel Yami has the antidote for Jonouchi in his hand, triumphant.

He wonders what the elder Kaiba could possibly have planned on the morrow. Who cares? You should get yourself out of that mansion before he has a chance to subject you to it.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? I'm not a fan, because it's filler. We didn't get much that was new as far as the development of plot or characters goes. Mokuba got murderous as opposed to just maim-y, and other than that, there was even less to read about his character than last time. Yuugi and Jonouchi didn't have anything going for them that they didn't have before. Yami did his gaming thing.

The game this time around annoyed me. The spinning of the lazy susan would have just sent all the food flying, and how Yami won was impossible for Mokuba to not see. I legitimately have no idea how Takahashi's grasp on physics can be so flawed that he wouldn't see the obvious issues with this.

The only thing I really liked about it was the fact that the escalation here made sense, in a way. Last time Mokuba showed up, I mentioned that he was probably trying to get victory over his brother by beating the guy who beat him, which is a motivation that can be read into his actions here, too. Mokuba is attempting to head Seto off at the pass by getting to his enemy before he can. It kind of makes me wonder how the meal might have been different had Seto been awake and present. Would he have participated in this game Mokuba devised? Would he have spectated? Would it have happened at all?

Food for thought. No poison though.