Round 2 Feature Match: Desmond “Karakuri King” Johnson Versus Travis Smith
Earlier this year, Desmond Johnson brought Karakuris back into the competitive fold by making Top 4 at YCS Miami with a version that relied on Emergency Teleport to make Synchro Summons – Teleport Karakuri. Johnson would go on to top Regionals and other notable tournaments with different versions of the Karakuri strategy as the year continued, singlehandedly popularizing the clockwork wonders.
But today fate’s thrown the Karakuri King a curveball! Here in Round 2, Johnson’s opponent is Travis Smith – the same man who defeated Johnson in the Top 4 of YCS Miami, ending his run in that event. Now it’s time for a re-match! Johnson is playing Teleport Karakuri with some new tech, while Smith is playing Prophecy.
Smith opened with a single Set card to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.
Johnson had Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”; Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”; Emergency Teleport; Iron Call; Vanity’s Emptiness; and Solemn Judgment. He Normal Summoned Ninishi, then Normal Summoned Kuick thanks to Ninishi’s effect. Smith flipped down Ninishi with Book of Moon, but Johnson brought out Psychic Commander with Teleport for Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”! Burei Special Summoned Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”, and Johnson used its effect to flip Ninishi back face-up! Iron Call brought back Kuick to make another Burei. That Burei Special Summoned Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”. Johnson tuned it with Ninishi and made a third Burei, Special Summoning another Nisamu! All four monsters attacked for game, and the crowd exploded!
“Phase 1 of the revenge!” Johnson grinned and dove for his Side Deck.
“Oh, we’ll see,” quipped Smith, goodnatured.
“You are not winning this match,” laughed Johnson. “You robbed me of that YCS! I would’ve won the whole thing if it wasn’t for you! First Feature Match at Nationals, I’m gonna 2-0 the peson who knocked me out of Miami. This is fate!”
“This is fate, I’m not gonna lie,” remarked Smith. “It does feel like Fate.”
Smith opened with Upstart Goblin, then Set 1 card to his backrow.
Johnson had Heavy Storm; Instant Fusion; Solemn Judgment; Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”; Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”; and Solar Wind Jammer. He blew away Book of Moon with Heavy Storm, then Special Summoned Wind Jammer. He Normal Summoned Strategist, Summoned Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”, then Special Summoned Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi” with it. He used her extra Normal Summon to bring down Kuick, then activated Instant Fusion for Cyber Saurus. That let him make another Bureido, which summoned another Strategist, turning itself to Attack Position to draw two cards: Psychic Commander and Solar Wind Jammer. He tuned Strategist and Kuick for a Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”, and brought out Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”. All four monsters attacked, bringing this two-turn match to a close!
Desmond Johnson swears revenge, and makes good on his vow, destroying rival and YCS Champion Travis Smith in what might be the fastest 2-0 victory of the year! The Karakuri King moves on undefeated!
