Bohman has crushed Blue Maiden and absorbed Aqua. Playmaker decides to pursue Bohman, but Kusanagi then shows up and blocks his path!
This episode contains the following tropes:
- Ambiguous Situation: While Bohman indeed acquires the power of the Water Ignis, he's also shown to possess the power of the Earth Ignis, and it's not clear how exactly he acquired the latter, whether it is from absorbing Spectre off-screen or from Crystal Heart's data.
- Armor-Piercing Question: Ai questions Kusanagi whether or not he's really okay with mercilessly attacking an ally of his. Kusanagi dismissively brushes him off, however, and claims that the Duel is the only way he can save his little brother.
- Attack! Attack! Attack!: Kusanagi doesn't hold back at all when he goes on the offense, while Playmaker can do little but struggle to endure his opponent's relentless assaults.
- The Bus Came Back: "Decode Talker" makes its first non-cameo appearance since the finale of the first season.
- Crazy-Prepared: Having anticipated that Lightning may invoke a Hostage Situation to force him to fight Playmaker, Kusanagi sends an unfinished program, intended to hack into Mirror LINK VRAINS, to the Lieutenants of Hanoi, which they promptly work on together to complete.
- Dirty Coward: Lightning uses Jin's consciousness as a bargaining chip to coax Kusanagi into mercilessly confronting Playmaker and taking him down. Lampshaded by Soulburner and Revolver, who both voice their disgust over Lightning's actions.
- Exact Words: Lightning reaffirms that he really intends to erase Jin's consciousness should Kusanagi either lose or DRAW.
- Fighting the Lancer: Playmaker ends up Dueling Kusanagi, of all people, and is averse to making a move against his opponent, considering that the two have been allies since the day they worked together to fight the Knights of Hanoi.
- Freeze-Frame Bonus: A brief shot
◊ shows two people with avatars based on "Skull Servant" and "Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin". - Hostage Situation: Lightning puts Jin's consciousness on the line to goad Kusanagi into challenging and defeating Playmaker if he wants to restore his little brother's consciousness.
- Kick the Dog: Not only does Lightning put Jin's consciousness at stake, he also delights at the sight of Playmaker and Kusanagi being forced to fight each other, which won't end well regardless of the Duel's outcome.
- Nothing Personal: Kusanagi claims to bear no ill will towards Playmaker, and is Dueling because he values his little brother above everything else.
- An Offer You Can't Refuse: Kusanagi can do little but to agree to Lightning's offer to release Jin's consciousness, on the condition that Kusanagi fights and defeats Playmaker without holding back.
- Sadistic Choice: If Kusanagi mercilessly takes down Playmaker, Lightning will agree to release Jin's consciousness, but at the cost of Playmaker's existence. If Kusanagi deliberately loses or forces the Duel into a DRAW, he loses his little brother forever.
- Sheathe Your Sword: Playmaker is unable to bring himself to make a move against Kusanagi, ends his turn without entering battle, and struggles to endure Kusanagi's relentless assault.
- The Unfettered: Kusanagi makes it crystal clear that he doesn't give a damn about Playmaker's existence, because he values his little brother above everything else and will do whatever it takes to protect him.
