Hi! So the tournament is ongoing, and there are all kind of underworld shenanigans going on...
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter IX. The Bet
Team Uraotogi's members, true to their name, had their fighters all looking and named after Japanese traditional folk tales.
The first team Member, Makintaro, was a tall, dark-skinned man with the ability to shape shift his arms into weapons – a down-graded version of Elder Toguro's own ability to turn any part of his body into anything, something the former human took great pleasure demonstrating.
The fight lasted only five minutes, but they were bloody and grueling, the hanyou cruelly toying with the clearly outclassed youkai. The battle ring was bloody by the end of that fight, and there wasn't much left of Makintaro.
Kuro Momotaro, the second fighter, had the curious ability to develop immunity to the attack he'd already felt, and used three magical dumpling that further enhanced his resistance, giving him the appearance of a monkey, a peacock, then a dog, which also added to his offensive powers.
The tall blond youkai was matched up against Karasu, a tall, slender, dark and long-haired youkai wearing a strange breather, and a long black coat floating around him like a tengu's wings. Karasu took his fight much more calmly than the Elder Toguro, seeing how his opponent reacted to each of his attack – and it took a few moments for Team Kismet to realize his ability, Kurama being the first to realize that the youkai was using both his youki and familiar violet flame.
The dark-haired youkai was a Cloud user, just like all the holy servants, and and used them in tandem with his youki to create real illusions. Very explosive real illusions...
Once Kuro Momotaro had spent his armory, Karasu ended the fight with one last, very powerful, explosion, that no gadget could protect Kuro Momotaro from.
Ura Urashima was a shifty looking youkai, and didn't have the time to unleash his attack before he was neatly cut in two by Bui, the fourth member of Team Toguro. Bui was a tall youkai, heavily armored, and hadn't wasted any time before killing his adversaries in any of his fight since the beginning of the tournament, cleaving them all with large battle-axes seemingly made from his youki...
Shishiwakamaru, the last fighter beside Team Uraotogi's leader, was clearly the team's poster boy, if all the fan-girls in the stands could be believed...
He was also the team's strongest fighter, and while he did try once to use a gadget on Younger Toguro, he realized quickly enough that it was a futile effort and discarded the teleportating blanket to take out his real weapon instead.
As the Ma Koku Mei Zan Ken grew grow it's resting form to it's active one, Yuusuke felt the air grow hotter by his side.
Eyeing Tsukiko, he frowned in worry, realizing that the ookami's hime control was slipping, true flame taking over her soul-fire, and he knew her well enough, having spend e,tire days following her around as a spirit, to realize she was boiling with barely repressed fury...
"This sword has to stay sealed most of the time, for it calls out the souls of youkai already dead, and will even claim the owner's life if he isn't careful!"
"That power is noteworthy." Younger Toguro conceded, stature growing with muscles "I'll give you 60 percent of my true power!"
In the arena, numerous spectators were fainting under the blade's shriek, and an unearthly power, familiar to Yuusuke from his time spent as a spirit, was washing the battle-ground.
"Those of weak-will cannot withstand the call of my sword..." Shishiwakamaru explained, before rushing to attack "I, however, find it beautiful!"
Countless shades of long-gone youkai rushed ahead, attacking not only the Younger Toguro but all those presents, if on a lesser scale.
The muscular hanyou flared his youki, tearing through the attack, his simple aura dismissing the ghosts around him, a large hand snatching and discarding the disturbing weapon, the second, in a tightly closed fist, blowing up the pretty boy's face.
"But as noteworthy as this power was... It was only borrowed, not earned."
A flare of alien power flooded the arena, and all the spirits were sent back to Death Island – Yuusuke eyed Tsukiko in wonder, something screaming at him that the princess had to do with the strange happening, but the Moon heiress was calmly picking up the discarded blade, that had recessed back to it's previous form.
"Uh... What an ingenious yet dangerous weapon." she mused, eyeing the simple grip in her hand "It'll absorb and enhance it's user's aura, and take the form appropriate for that user." she dropped the now dormant weapon into the last member of Team Uraotogi's hands "Still, it's only a weapon. The one calling the dead was Shishiwakamaru himself after all... Strange that someone could be both so good-looking outwardly, yet have such an ugly soul."
'You have a good eye," the old looking man, now the last of his team, praised "to understand how my creation work so fast..."
"I have." she agreed "And let me tell you what my eyes are seeing right now... You are hiding under a mask, but even once the mask is off, you will die if you fight against Team Toguro." she solemnly warned
"I will." the other easily agreed – he had seen all his team-mate easily beaten one after the other after all, even Shishiwakamaru, who had been their ace "But your advice is welcome. The beautiful Suzuki thank you, beautiful maiden!"
Turning toward the announcer before she called the next fight, he announced "Team Toguro is out of fresh fighters, and all my team-mates are dead, the outcome is already clear. I forfeit."
With that, he walked out of the center ring under the booing of the crowd – discarding his old man persona, which had been a disguise just like Tsukiko had realized, as soon as he was hidden from the public and quickly mingling with the people around.
"Made a new friend, Tsuki-chan?" Souta teased, amused smile on his lips
"And with this, victory goes to Team Toguro, concluding this Tournament's third day!" Koto announced exuberantly "Tomorrow's match will be Team Kismet versus Team Mashoutsukai in the morning and Team Toguro versus Team MakaiKyosenshi in the afternoon! Have a nice evening!"
Team Kismet headed toward the VIP lodge, where KoEnma was waiting with the girls, while Ryoichi and Shippou were putting their kitsune shape-shifting abilities to good use by mingling among the crowd in the guise of a pair of mid C-rank and high B-rank youko.
KoEnma was immediately by Tsukiko's side, Kismet pack noted, the tall young man laying a conforting hand on her arm – and the air around them noticeably cooled within moments...
Clearly, she hadn't calmed down quite as much as they had though.
¤.¤.¤
Amicably chatting, the group of friend was soon splitting up – the teenagers heading back toward the hotel to take advantage of the bar while Atsuko and KoEnma, still in his buisiness size like he liked to call it, were strolling toward one of the neighboring VIP lodges, where the Vongola contingent had been watching the match.
"Shall we pay a courtesy visit to our honorable host?" Timoteo Vongola asked with an amused smile
"I was just about to suggest it!" Tsukiko grinned back, letting the blue moon marking her as heiress of the House of Moon bled back on her brow – voice high enough that Nono's men heard, and couldn't help but laugh
"This is the trade-mark pre-chaos Vongola smirk." Ganauche III, Timoteo's younger guardian, answered back, clearly amused "If the ring hadn't been enough, this is clearly proof that your principessa is one of us!"
Mere moments later, they were entering the Control Room where the eight members of the Black Book Club were seated, each shadowed by an assassin doubling as a bodyguard.
"Ah, Nono di Vongola, what a pleasant surprise." the younger of the Mob Boss greeted "Oh, and this is Team Kismet's sixth's member, right?" the amicable smile was just as fake as the previous affirmation "You are Taishou Tsukiko, I believe? Daughter of the famous Taishou Sesshoumaru?" he asked, clearly intrigued
"Indeed."
"We weren't aware of the head of the Taishou family's involvement with any underworld business..." another of the men noted "You would have thought that the Yakuza at least would have known, since he's Japanese."
"I'm the one in charge of any underworld dealing." Tsukiko answered curtly
"So this is a rather new turn of event?"
"Not at all, we just don't bother with smaller families." the ookami answered with a candid smile, basking in the outraged protest of seven of the eight boss
"I guess we do look rather small to someone used to dealing with the Vongola." the one that had greeted them – Sakyo, Tsukiko knew from the inquiries she'd made prior to the Dark Tournament's start
"The House of Moon's word is as good as our in the East." Timoteo confirmed, making the same seven's eyes widen in shock – it wasn't everyday that you learned of Vongola's equal footing allies after all, as they were scares, most other famiglia's were affiliated rather than equal partners
"Of course, should we have known we'd never involved you into this." Sakyo assured with an empty smile
"I should hope so, given that it was the deal made with Ricardo di Vongola upon his victory in your Tournament." Nono shot back without a pause "I doubt your Committee would want the reputation of going back on their words, which you did twice over when choosing a guest Team under the protection of both Genkai and the Vongola."
"Genkai isn't taking part in the Tournament!" one of the nameless boss finally found the courage to protest
"She is their trainer, as such she is considered part of this little gathering." Tsukiko contradicted "But I'm sure this was an error made in good faith, wasn't it?" she added with an insincere eye-smile
"Naturally." Sakyo agreed blandly "But I guess we should make a show of good faith... maybe a handicap to favor your team?"
"My students don't need something so useless." Tsukiko disagreed "But I guess two more favors given out, when they win, would be satisfactory. To replace the broken promises, of course."
"You seem rather sure of their victory?"
"That's because I am."
"Enough that you would wager your life on it?"
"Easily enough." Tsukiko smirked "But then again, I am part of the team, aren't I?"
"True, true." Sakyo laughed "How about it, should our team both make it to the final, we'll have a friendly wager... Your life against mine, upon our team victory?"
"Shall we call the Vindice to seal the deal?" Tsukiko agreed
"No need to!" another member of the Black Book Club protested "We'll witness this wager!"
"And we've already seen what your word is worth." Timoteo commented lightly "Besides, what guarantees us that your heir would honor your word?"
"As if we'd all die just like that!"
"The Dark Tournament is dangerous." the Nono di Vongola contradicted eerily, his hyper-intuition speaking for him
"If it reassure you to have the Vindice witness this, I'll call them." Sakyo cut it the heating debate "After all, they won't be there to arrest anyone, simply to witness our wager."
"And the Committee's acceptance of their debt owned to Vongola and Genkai." Tsukiko completed
"And that." Sakyo agreed, taking out his cellphone under his fellow club members protests
Within moments, the room's temperature was dropping, and familiar Black Flames were opening a portal between the Vendicare prison and the Control Room, two black silhouettes stepping out of the darkness.
"We have been called in our capacity as judges and witnesses of the underworld." the smaller of the two – Bermuda Von Veckentsein, leader and oldest of the Vindice as Tsukiko well knew
The first who would become one of her own Holy Servants, a decade in the future.
For now, the young goddess was carefully keeping hold of her powers, knowing that with how closely linked to Death they were, the Vindice would feel her own unique link to him should she let her control slip – and it wasn't time for them to meet her as her quality of Death's sister just yet...
In the Control Room, ten underworld boss went to work under the watchful eyes of their law-keeper, hammering the words of the settlement for both Genkai and Ricardo di Vongola broken wishes, to be upheld by the Committee itself whatever the outcome of th Tournament was, or by their individual heirs should they be unavailable – then bartering the penalties and rewards of Sakyo and Tsukiko's wager.
[Hidden Bonus Complete! Negotiating Mafia-style...
the Committee will now have to own up to their broken promises
Reward: +20 000XP (+500XP), +1 Tail Perk skill book]
[New Challenge (LV300)! The weight of a life...
Goal: win your wager against Sakyo
Reward: +2500XP, +1 Mafia-verse Alternate Lifeperk upon completion]
"This man is far more dangerous than he makes himself appear." Timoteo thoughtfully whispered as they left the Control Room to head back toward the hotel
"And he's probably the one responsible for Kismet Pack involvement in the Tournament." Tsukiko confirmed, her intuition screaming just as loudly at her as Nono's currently was "I wonder what his end goal is with all this..."
"In any case, you interference has intrigued him, but he feels more amused, and interested than scared or annoyed at the interference." KoEnma pointed out, his soul sense having grown more and more honed as he trained with his alpha – he eyed the young goddess "You won't even tell the kids what you've wagered on their victory, will you?"
"It would unnecessarily stress them out." the Moon Hime confirmed "They have progressed, but the weight of a life isn't something they are quite ready to take on their shoulders."
"Kurama and Hiei aren't that innocent."
"Yet they are still so young, when it comes to humans feeling..." she mused "They already know that their own life is in the balance here, lets not mention mine." a shrug "Besides, as long as they don't let themselves overwhelmed, they have no reason to lose."
"And if they do lose?"
"Then you'll help them out in my stead, won't you?" she smiled at her Rain "After all, you did accept to replace me as the sixth fighter."
"That I did." KoEnma confirmed "To think I would be mixed with this uncivilized Tournament!" he complained without heat – Tsukiko had been in his head after all, and knew he held no fondness for the unnecessarily bloodthirsty and rule-breaking contest
But while he didn't really like the bet his Sky had made – he knew that she wouldn't lose, be it thanks to Kismet Pack, or himself.
The young prince hadn't put himself through the goddess' training from hell for nothing after all – and if the fighting skills he was honing to save his Realm happened to save his alpha first, then it only made them that much more useful to him...
¤.¤.¤
They were in the entrance lounge when an unfamiliar looking youkai with bright blond hair met up with them, friendly smile on his face and no killing intent in the end "We meet again, fair maiden!"
"My name is Taishou Tsukiko." the ookami informed the flamboyant youkai
"And she's engaged to a rather possessive hit-man." KoEnma interrupted with an amused smile "So I'd stick to Tsukiko-hime if I was you."
"I see." the other nodded emphatically "I meant no insult, of course! But since the fair maiden was kind enough to warn me about my impeding doom, I though I had to settle the debt!"
"There's no need for that."
"I insist! Here..." Two items appeared in his hands – the first, a rather familiar sword grip, the second a small container, looking for all appearances like an incense box "This is the Tameshi no Ken, which you masterfully guessed the function earlier. While I doubt you need any sword better than your own, given as they are quite clearly masterpieces, I've noticed that two of your team-mates have sword calluses too, yet neither seemed to have a weapon they were proud to display like your own blades..."
Tsukiko's eyes widened – truly, team Uraotogi's leader may not have been that impressive a fighter, with his low B-rank level, he had the making of a true crafter, creating unique products, and instinctively knowing for whom they'd work best.
After all, while indeed both Kazuma and Hiei were sword-fighters, the first hadn't used his blade in any fight, while the second hadn't even fought in the Tournament yet.
"And this... Ura Urashima used the leaves of a recent new specie of tree from Makai to make the incense of his Idun Box, that forced his opponents to grow younger..." he explained "I've noted that one of your team-mates, while looking very human, still has the youki of a fox... There are only the seeds of the plant in this box, but if he is whom I think he is, that should be more than enough."
Suzuki – as the crazy inventor finally introduced himself – left soon after, promising he'd root from them in the coming match, and explaining he had a few creations to work on.
After all, as a B-rank youkai, he knew Reikai would put it under watch in Ningenkai should he step out of the island – and Suzuki had no intention of going back to Makai, so he had to prepare a way to make his escape discreetly he explained right in front of KoEnma.
"You are lucky I'm not the king." the Holy Servant sighed – the youkai blanched as he finally realized the presence of the prince of Reikai "I don't care as long as you don't kill human or cause any undue chaos."
"If you manage to stay in the human realm, come to Japan, find us." Tsukiko instructed, flaring her Flames for a moment to hide the spike of youki underneath
Suzuki eyes widened as he felt the familiar feeling of a youki mark – the mark of a powerful youkai, far more powerful than anyone present in Ningenkai should be, far more powerful than all of the Tournament's competitors.
A youki mark that would let him find the other youkai – no daiyoukai, with this power, she could only be one of them – exactly one time.
This was a test, he realized, eyeing the group that had already left to find their friends.
A test he had no intention of failing, he realized with an eager smile, mind turning toward the pendant that should hide his youki he was working on, absently changing his face once more.
"Recruiting, alpha?" KoEnma realized, amused – the humans hadn't been able to feel the well hidden youki spike
"His worth as a fighter isn't anything to talk about... But those gadgets of him, imagine what he could do with the funds of the House of Moon backing him!"
With that, they'd caught up with the rest of their group, informing them succinctly of the two promises the Committee had been manipulated into granting them, and the fact their had been a change in the team.
"Weird, but if that's what the Committee wants, I'm fine with it." Yuusuke shrugged "If they think the victory is going to be easier because of KoEnma, they are sorely underestimating the brat." he snorted
Hiei rolled his eyes as their alpha once more used the word brat to speak about someone centuries older than him – but by now, he'd realized the stubborn human wouldn't change his way of talking that easily.
The evening had been spent merrily after that, Atsuko getting on surprisingly well with the Vongola contingent once her awe at seeing the Nono di Vongola and his guardians themselves had been a bit tempered by a few beers – and a few beers later, her son realized with wide eyes that the reason why his usually easily drunk mother was still happyly drinking but not dead to the word were the Rain Flames discreetly cleansing her from any excess intoxication as the night went on...
Talk about an unforeseen use of dying-will!
Ryoichi was just as much at ease with the Vongola of course, the guardians easily talking with them, even if they never mentioned his previous identity, and while they hadn't met Tsukiko's previous incarnation yet, they still easily got on with the girl that was so clearly famiglia in her whole behavior.
The other had been rather thankful for their crash course about the underworld, and after the first few minutes necessary to get over the fact they were spending the evening in a hotel full of youkai, drinking with members of the strongest mafia famiglia in the world, they enjoyed the night just as much as the others.
Tsukiko, well organized, and knowing just how wild the Vongola could get, had been kind enough to supply hangover remedies from the District before everyone went to sleep – as such, it was a fresh team that made their way toward the already full arena the next morning to their semifinal match.
Team Mashoutsukai was already waiting for them, and Koto wasn't the only one with a mike – a second girl, probably some kind of water youkai, given her fin like ears, and webbed tail, had now joined her.
"As you can all see, I've been joined by Juri for the remaining match of this edition of the Dark Tournament!" the neko youkai joyfully explained to both fighters and the crowd "Aren't you so excited to be able to witness the fight from so close, Juri!"
"I'm sure it'll be very interesting!" the next girl agreed, looking a bit worried, on the contrary, to be so close to the fighting ground, but putting a brave front
"This is Juri's first time commenting fights, please be kind to her!" Koto enjoined the spectators, the water youkai earning a clamor of approval
Human and youkai alike liked cute girls apparently...
"Anyway, let's get straight to what we're all waiting for! Would team leader please step up!"
Yuusuke walked toward the two announcers, used to it by now – and from the other side of the arena, one of the five cloaked silhouettes did the same, revealing a read-haired youkai, whose only non-human attribute were his long, pointed ears, and a small unicorn-like horn in the middle of his wild mane...
"Wow! Would you look at that peoples," Koto enthusiastically called as the crowd grew wild "One of Team Mashoutsukai has finally revealed himself, and it's no one else that the famous Jin Kazetsukai!"
"Which makes the rest of his team's identities rather evident!" Juri took overs smoothly "They can only be his usual team-mates, the other shinobi from Makai, Team Kismet is in for a real challenge this time"
"So, team captain, your choice of battle?"
"Last man standing." the confident wind user suggested with a grin
"Fine by me." Yuusuke nodded
"Contenders will fight one on one, the winner staying in the ring until defeat, or until one of the two teams runs out of fighter!" Koto explained "Captains out, first fighters in please!"
A spike of killing intent was felt from the shinobi's side of the arena, one of the still cloaked men stepping away from their leader, while Jin was leaning against a wall, looking as if he intended to enjoy watching the fights himself rather than tense as most fighters tended to be before a death-match.
"You should know better," another of their team-mates commented "Jin's interested in this team, so he wants to be fair-play." the shinobi explained "I'll go."
Under his cloak, the youkai was tall and skinny, two short scabbards by his side "I'm Gama the Body-Painter." he introduced himself toward team Kismet, having apparently decided to be polite to honor his leader's amiability
"Kuwabara Kazuma," the bleach-haired answered in kind "delinquent and houshi-in-training."
"Gama versus Kazuma... FIGHT!"
No sooner had the word be pronounced that a pair of brushes had been taken out of the half-naked youkai, and war-paint swiftly drawn on his body
"Sento no Sho complete!" he announced, youki swirling around him
"Impressive." Tsukiko noted "He's a sealing master." she explained, not bothering to lower her voice "His ink is made from his own blood, and right now, he's multiplied his own abilities."
Jin, close enough that he heard, eyed her "You know your stuff, pretty lady. Too bad you aren't fighting, I bet it would have been one entertaining match."
"Don't worry, my students are more than enough for you." the ookami answered truthfully "I'm sure you'll have your fun." she promised with a smile
Meanwhile, Kazuma had barely managed to dodge the first attack of his surprisingly fast opponent, mid B-rank fighter having grown to high B-rank bordering on A-rank thanks to his self-enhancement.
Or rather he noted, feet suddenly feeling heavy – he hadn't dodged what he should have, the nimble youkai having managed to paint a simple yet effective seal on the delinquent's legs...
"Feels heavy, eh!" Gama commented "You now have 70 kilos on each feet, dodging is going to be harder!"
"Feh. It's not like I'm a fast fighter in the first place." Kazuma answered, forsaking dodging to instead take Suzuki's gift out
He'd tested it earlier in the morning, and the weapon, true to it's promise, did indeed adapt itself to it's user so well Kazuma hadn't needed anytime getting used to it.
In his hands, the sword grip flashed – and was replaced by a massive zanbatou, powered by both Light-tinted reiki and reinforced with Lightening Flames. When Gama once more rushed toward him, the teenager didn't bother dodging, instead focusing his energy, and releasing from the whole length of his enormous weapon a wave of reiki, violently pushing the body-painter back.
"Not bad," Yuusuke nodded "if he can't avoid the attack with his speed, he simply has to push the enemy back first."
"Still, shouldn't the idiot be able to purify those shackles?" Hiei wondered
"He is purifying them." Tsukiko answered "It's a testament to Gama's strength that they haven't come undone yet. It's harder to get rid of a seal rather than a pure youki attack, the blood as a medium makes the skill that much more powerful, and that man is very skilled in his art." she explained
"Wow, you know quite a bit about Gama's skill." Jin noted, rather impressed "People don't usually understand seal masters that much, it's a nearly extinct art in Makai after all."
"Not surprising given that daiyoukai were the one knowing most about it."
"And most daiyoukai disappeared when Makai was created." the wind user nodded "I remember."
"You are one of the few, then."
"In-fighting makes youkai die young, despite our long life expectancies." Jin commented "So most of us from back then are already long dead..."
Indeed, the two fighters were looking to be in a stale-mate, Kazuma hampered and unable to move, and Gama kept away by the delinquent powerful attacks.
"This isn't going to last." Kurama commented "Kazuma's reiki is bound to be depleted eventually since he's using so much, and Gama's own techniques can't be cost-free, and his shackles are coming undone..."
The youko was right – while the strain was becoming apparent on Kazuma, Gama's mounting frustration was proof enough that he wasn't that much better off.
Finally, with a last surge of reiki, the shackles came apart with a swirl of youki, and the delinquent rushed toward his opponent, zanbatou poised to attack overhead – deciding to take advantage of the wide-opened posture, Gama ducked low, brushed flying around the teenager, to be blasted away the next moment by the attack he'd chosen not to avoid, the zanbatou having cut a large gash in his torso...
"Eh... I may have lost, but my next team-mate will have an easier time against you!" the weakened youkai laughed from outside the ring, not bothering to try and get up, knowing he was bleeding out "It's the way of the shinobi, to give up all for the team." he affirmed proudly "And with my last attack, I've sealed your aura!" a smirk "My art will last ten minutes after my death, and I know they won't waste those minutes!"
"... and ten! Victory goes to Kazuma, will Team Mashoutsukai next contestant step up, please!" Juri decreed
¤.¤.¤
"I'll use those ten minutes to avenge you." the next contestant promised his weakening team-mate
"Touya versus Kazuma... FIGH!"
"What an admirable pack-spirit." Tsukiko praised, before getting up from her position, that had been until then rather similar to Jin
Kneeling near the dying youkai, she announced "I'm sorry Kazuma, but you'll have to get out of your predicament on your own."
"I don't need a man dying to get rid of curses." the delinquent commented, agreeing in his own way with what he knew the princess was about to do
"To think it was her own idea to hide the extent of her skill..." Yuusuke sighed
"She won't let someone who knows the worth of a pack, and has so much potential dies for the masses entertainment." Souta pointed out "Beside, you were about to do the same. Just as me..."
The alpha couldn't protest, his own reiki already gathered, just like Souta's, both ready to do a priest's first duty.
Reiki flared, making both fighters, and all those nearby, turn toward the youkai and seemingly human girl.
"Don't you dare touch Gama's body!" Touya raged, ice creeping on the floor around him, and air growing cold under his wrath
"He isn't dead just yet." she absentmindedly corrected, more focused on the youkai bleeding to death than the ice manipulator that didn't even registered as a threat to her "And he won't be anytime soon if I've anything to say on the matter."
She didn't feel bad about preventing Gama's soul from leaving his body – like most youkai, his life-time was far from spent, as such she didn't even need the small edge her godly powers was giving her in keeping the youkai from dying, the soul still bound to the bleeding out body...
Blending her own Blood Art to healing reiki wasn't something she'd done before, but after having seen the youkai use his seals on himself in a way she'd never witnessed before, she knew she could do it – and using both her own blood as a medium, and Gama's own to help along, the healing power was far from it's usual paltry green color, instead gleaming a deep red.
More importantly, far more powerful than usual.
[Hidden Bonus Quest Complete! To reach beyond...
you've find a way to overcome your weakness in using healing arts
Reward: +10 000XP, Blood Manipulation (lets you manipulate your own blood and enhance your attack) evolve to Blood Singer (your ability to use blood, be it yourself or other's, is unparalleled, comparable only to Elemental Master's mastery upon their own element)]
It was only right to use the newly healing powers she'd resigned herself to never have to save the one thanks to whom she'd figured them out, she mused to herself.
And if the red energy was much harsher than the usual healing energy, and was like often when she was the one doing the healing, leaving large scars behind – it was still letting the goddess so closely linked to Death heal nearly as efficiently as a holy servant of Life herself would.
It wouldn't work on natural illness, she instinctively knew, nor on people whose life-expectancy had been expanded, but it would still help her save people whose time hadn't come without having to dip right into her dominion over Death.
With a final wave of reiki and blood, Gama was taking a long breath, stunned at being alive "Why?" he asked, still weak from his near-death experience, but mostly stunned "Why would you save me?"
"Because I could, and you were worth it."
"We're enemies! Your friend will lose!" he protested
"We're merely opponents in a Tournament we were,'t given any choice to participate in." she corrected, then adding with a smile "Beside, Kazuma hasn't lost just yet. Your near-death still weakened the seal, and he has the means to break the seal himself."
"You... are a really strange team." Touya was the one to comment on the fighting-ground where neither opponent had moved yet "But I thank you all the same." a smile "But that doesn't mean I'll throw this fight!"
"Of course not!" Kazuma agreed
And finally, the two were clashing, a hail storm centering around the youkai appearing, the delinquent cutting through the attack with pure force, the Tameshi no Ken useless for now having been rapidly replaced by his usual two-handed sword, before clashing with the ice youkai that had made a sword of his own from his element...
The two exchanged blows – and it soon became apparent that Touya was missing more and more often, as if mis-aiming, before finally being hit by a powerful blow – not as deadly as the delinquent's attack against Gama had been, but crippling enough that the other couldn't get back on his feet in time...
"... And ten! It's a second victory for Kazuma, that guy is sure sturdy for a human! Will Team Mashoutsukai's next contestant please come up?"
"Tch. I'll take care of this guy, you are just a bunch of wimp." a contemptuous voice commented, as a large, heavily-scarred youkai stepped on the ring – making not only Touya, but the rest of his Team and even Team Kismet bristle in arrogance
While the first two fighters had been honorable in their own way, the third one clearly was just a blood-lust driven beast.
Fittingly, he was also the weakest, a quick Observe revealed.
"I didn't think reiki could be used to heal youkai." Jin commented to Tsukiko, that had helped Gamma near his team leader "And you used blood too, didn't you?"
"I'm a blood manipulator too." she agreed, not seeing the point of denying it – humans too could manipulate elements and blood after all
In the District at least.
"As for the reiki," she added "I'm a miko." well a daiyoukai miko, but she wouldn't reveal that just yet if she could avoid it
Makai knowing wasn't really a problem – but Enma's possible spies were a very real one.
"Technique have changed since the Edo Period, and once they didn't need to learn to purify youkai as much, priestess eventually learned to heal them." she explained further, knowing that simple affirmation wouldn't be enough for someone who remembered a time when holy servants main duty was to protect humans from youkai
"Still, I don't understand why you healed me?"
"Why are you participating in the Tournament? What is your wish?" she asked rather abruptly instead of answering the question
Rather surprised, but thinking that he could answer the one he owned his life to – and anyway, it wasn't really a secret "We want this island." he stated "As shinobi, we've lived our life hidden in the shadows, bathed in blood and surrounded by back-stabbers..."
"This Tournament is a chance to find a place in the light for us." Jin took over "This island could be our domain, and from there, we could live freely, under our own rules rather than constrained by others..."
"So.. freedom." Tsukiko concluded, her soul-sense letting her feel the true behind their words "I'm a miko," she repeated "one of my strongest skill is my empathy." she simplified, not wanting to go over her Soul Art "Most of the fighters I've seen since the beginning of this tournament are only barely competent youkai thinking they can have whatever they want as long as they are powerful, here only to satisfy their blood-lust..." she informed them, barely restraining herself from dipping into her godly powers as she reached toward the multitude of souls around them
"And?"
"You were among the few who not only have interesting skill, but also a strong set of morals, and a true goal."
"Morals! We're shinobi!" Gamma protested
"And yet you lived, and nearly died by your own code didn't you?" a smile "I don't care for something about the right and wrong of human laws, Gamma, I'll follow my own code too." she stated assuredly
"... and ten, this is a third, and rather impressive win for Kazuma!"
"Wait what?!"Jin protested "I didn't even realized they fought!"
"Bakken threatened Kazuma, then underestimated him, thinking he was still sealed." Touya bluntly said
"And he's not anymore?"
"That didn't even matter. I'm sorry to say that team-mate of yours was weak. He did his trick with mist, bu Kazuma has a very good instinct, so fighting blind isn't really a problem for him..." Tsukiko added to the explaination
"And so he downed him in one hit in the mist." Touya concluded, being the only of those nearby to have watched the fight "Beside, just like with me, the idiot was missing... Your team-mate is doing something to make us miss, isn't he?"
"That would be telling!" Tsukiko winked "Tell you what... I'll explain after the match, whatever the outcome."
"Deal!" Touya uncharacteristically exclaimed, still peeved at not knowing why he'd lost
¤.¤.¤
"Still not going up there?" Tsukiko asked as Koto called for the next fighter
"Nah," Jin denied "I had hoped that your alpha would be up by now, but that team-mate of yours is surprisingly good!"
"Kazuma looks like a thug, and talk like one, so people assume he can't think..." Tsukiko commented "But while his thinking is unconventional, he isn't stupid." she explained, before adding "And the brat isn't my alpha, he's theirs."
"I thought as much." the wind spirit nodded, having voluntarily used the world to see her react "After all, you are an alpha too, aren't you?" a smile "They look up to you just as much as they do to him... And even he looks up to you." he mused "It's really strange to see pack relations among humans, but it's unmistakable."
"For someone who understands pack dynamics. You don't look like a canine?"
"I'm not." he agreed "But I travel a lot..."
"Keeping the wind anchored to only was place would be cruel."
"And you even understand elemental spirits!" Jin nodded in appreciation "Still, I travel, and I see things.. Knowledge about packs is one of those things I picked up along the way." he explained
"Kazuma versus Risho... FIGHT!"
Both and Jin stopped talking, focusing on the ring.
Because Jin may be the strongest of his team level-wise – his last team-mate's difference in level was barely noticeable, making them near equal in terms of power.
And Kazuma – had been fighting for three fights, two of them with his reiki sealed, and even if he had won, the strain was starting to be felt, and Risho wasn't an opponent he could bulldoze through like he'd done with Bakken.
Because Risho was just as cruel and moral-less as the bulky youkai – but he also had a cunning mind, as he proved by rushing to the contact, aiming his punches toward the delinquent's body,where it didn't really mattered whether he missed or not...
"It's not a problem to miss, as long as your hit still do damages!" he laughed wildly, widely dodging Kurama's sword "If I know you are fooling my eyes... I just have to ignore them!"
"Illusions?" Touya realized, eyes wide "How is it possible, his reiki is sealed!"
"Because he's not using his reiki for those." Tsukiko answered "You should have encountered some in the underworld, shouldn't you? Flame users?"
"We've heard of them." Jin confirmed, just as surprised "But like you said, we underestimated him, thinking reiki was his only talent."
"Risho isn't underestimating him." Touya noted, somehow finding himself rooting for his team-mate only half-heartedly
Seeing the man act just as honorlessly a Bakken after Kazuma had given them all such good fights was leaving a bad after taste, the ice elemental felt. Especially when knowing he had even talked about cheating up until the day before – when there sponsor had suddenly altered his plans, saying something about law-keepers scarier than any youkai...
Still, Kazuma kept the light illusion he'd had up ever since his fight against Touya, taking advantage of being thrown to the ground to let go of his grip on the large two-handed sword he'd been handling for two fights – Risho laughed in triumph at the seemingly proof of his weakening.
But the delinquent may be weakening indeed – he hadn't lost just yet.
The Tameshi no Ken flared back to life once more, under the stunned fighter and crowd eyes...
"How is this possible!"
"I've broken Gama's seal since the pause between my fight against Touya and Bakken." Kazuma shrugged
"And he has managed to make us underestimate him even more ever since..." Jin whistled "Maybe I should have gone up first, I'm finding myself curious to fight against him at full strength!"
On the ring, a furious Risho was jumping back from the reiki enhanced zanbatou, before spatting "Fine, I'll let you see the true powers of a earth master!"
The ground shook around them, whole chunks of the ring dissolving into dust under the youkai's powers before condensing around him in a powerful armor – an armor that was clearly enhancing his strength, as was shown by his next punch, that sent Kazuma flying back several meters.
"You should stay down!" the youkai advised "After all, you may be waving your shiny sword around, you can't shot any of those annoying reiki attack anymore, can you?" he goaded
Yuusuke was eyeing his pack-mate worriedly.
Checking on the houshi-in-training's stats in the pack window was showing that indeed, he was nearly out of reiki, and health points down a good halfway...
He turned toward Tsukiko, question in his eyes – and she nodded, having seen the same thing as him.
"Kazuma, stop being so stubborn and drop the fucking restrains." he called out
The delinquent looked as if he was about to protest, but Hiei's voice commented calmly "You are worrying Yukina."
Which – while probably true – they didn't know, but the name-dropping did its magic, and the other team-mate quickly nodded "I don't really need it," he commented with clear bad faith "but I can't be worrying Yukina-chan, can I?"
Hiei twitched at the use of the cute honorific, but refrained from commenting on it.
His sister really did enjoy the oaf's company after all – even if the why remained a mystery to him...
Power surged around Kazuma, as his power level went from low B-rank to high B-rank.
While neither reiki nor health point had been instantly regenerated, the jump in main characteristic, not to mention all his regeneration rates was enough that, combined with Risho's lapse in attention due to his surprise – the delinquent took the offensive back, rushing the youkai, and putting his all in the last reiki wave he could use.
After that attack, the houshi fell to his knees – but it didn't matter, because Risho, him, was out of the ring, and not getting back up.
"... and ten! That's the fourth victory in a row for Kazuma!" Juri crowed "Talk about a dark horse, guys!"
"Still, it looks like that's it for Team Kismet's fighter too!" Koto commented
Jin stretched out and jumped on his feet, calling attention to him "We could just change fighter, couldn't we?"
"Well, he technically hasn't lost a fight..." Koto pointed out
"He can't move anymore, I think we can safely state he isn't able to fight anymore." the wind youkai pointed out "And I'm the one fighting, and I'm saying I agree to the change!"
"Let us check with the Committee..." Juri said, then after listening to something in her ear-piece "After deliberation, the Committee agrees to the change of fighter, but the previous match is declared null!"
"Tch what rubbish." Jin mumbled, dissatisfied at such a meaningless, yet petty gesture
Clearly, the Committee only wanted it to be put in writing that Kazuma had lost a fight, rather than gone undefeated for four fights straight like he had.
"Tch. Don't mind the sore looser." Yuusuke, stepping up the ring too, Hiei and Kurama already helping a barely conscious Kazuma off the ring "We'll settle this with our fists."
"Indeed." the youkai perked up at that "I was looking forward to fight with you!" he added, before letting his sunny disposition take the lead once more "Bah, no use in letting old men keeping us down, let's enjoy this!" he pointed toward his ear "Look, my ears are all perky! They do this when I'm happy!"
The spirit detective smiled, the youkai's enthusiasm rather communicative.
"Jin versus Yuusuke... FIGHT!"
¤.¤.¤
The first few moments, the two tested each other, simply going at it with fists alone – picking up their pace gradually, as each met the other's expectations, until wind started to gather around Jin, and Yuusuke had to enhance his speed with ki...
"You are good!" Jin praised eagerly as he dodged out of a punch that took out a good chunk of the floor "I didn't think a human could be that powerful!"
"You aren't wrong, humans aren't that powerful naturally." Yuusuke admitted "But I'm a holy servant too."
"You haven't used any reiki yet."
"I haven't. But I'm also among the lucky few who knows exactly which deity I'm following." the spirit detective grinned "And War is someone who likes fighters."
"You are a warrior-priest." Jin realized – something only someone who, like him, had known the world before the barrier between realms went up, could have understood
"I am indeed." Yuusuke confirmed "And I may have only unlocked two of War's gifts for his holy servant, it is still more than enough to set me apart from regular humans."
His ki flared so powerfully It was visible to the naked eye, engulfing his whole silhouette. Jin dodged up this time, finally demonstrating his mastery upon wind as he was now floating several meters above the ring, the wind gathered around him parrying the young alpha's next shot, as a bullet of condensed reiki was sent his way with one powerful punch
"Uh, that's clearly some reiko hadoken." the wind sprite recognized "I best get serious too!"
The next moment, it was Yuusuke's turn to dodge, as each of Jin's fist were now surrounded in a small tornado, enhancing both his strength and speed.
"Well, we are having an impressive demonstration of weaponless fighting from both Jin and Yuusuke!" Koto commented, voice nearly drowned by the wind master apparently numerous fan-girls
"But while both contestants seem equally matched, Jin has the undeniable advantage of being air-born while Yuusuke is earth-bound! Will this be a defeat for Team Kismet?" Juri added
"I'm not earth-bound." the delinquent corrected the announcer, before calling "Time to earn your keep, you lazy chicken!"
An indignant squawking noise was heard – and with a rush of reiki, the bird hidden in his hair until now took flight, growing to his current full size, which had grown to that of a large tiger since the fight of Youkai Street – a second rush of youki, and Puu had seemingly disappeared, only his four wings left, and Yuusuke was air-born.
"Well people, it looks like Team Kismet's captain had one impressive hidden ace! This is a clear case of resonance with a familiar, and a thunderbird of all familiar!" Koto explained enthusiastically
"Which makes him the second member of our guest team to have a familiar!" Juri completed "As we have already witnessed Souta's horned serpent, which just as seldomly seen as far as familiar goes!"
"I'm not really sure about how we're supposed to judge an inborn fight?" Juri wondered in her mike, as Jin and Yuusuke what kept up their battle in the air
With the buzzing of machine starting, several poles appeared around the fighting ring, projecting a larger arena in the air "Well, apparently the Committee was prepared for this eventuality..." Juri commented, just as surprised as the spectators
"This isn't the first air-born fight the Dark Tournament have seen, even if they aren't that frequent!" Koto explained "The last one happened during the last match of the tournament's edition of 1973, when a tengu and a peacock ducked it out! "
The fight went on for a few more minutes, the two fighters clearly evenly matched and enjoying their spar...
But Yuusuke's mind wasn't idle – and while he knew that dropping his restrains would probably earn him a swift victory, he knew that he could win without doing so. He only needed to use the right strategy.
When the next punch came toward him, he caught the youkai's fist, surprising him, and letting him fire his next attack point-blank. Jin was propelled through the air, crashing into the spectator area while Koto started the out-of-bounds countdown...
"...and ten! With this victory for Yuusuke, Team Kismet secures it's place in final!" the neko announced
"And you'll know as soon as this afternoon against whom they'll fight!" Juri added just a enthusiastically as her fellow speakerine
[Goal complete! +5000XP (+200XP)
Goal update: survive the final!]
"Wow! What a rush!" the wind spirit proclaimed with a wide grin as he finally dug himself out of the rubble, and swiftly jumping down to the ring where Yuusuke was coming down too "Let's do this again, man!" his smile grew more calculating "Who knows, maybe without people watching we could go all out..."
The alpha smiled – he wasn't too surprised to realize that the other had restrained himself, having already noted the fact with an Observe. And battle-nut or not, Jin was first and foremost a shinobi, whose skills were best used when unknown to the greater number...
That was why it had been such a gamble for their team to take part in the Dark Tournament – a gamble they'd lost, sadly, but one the rather happy-go-lucky wind master didn't regret. This edition of the yearly event was proving to be far too interesting to have miss!
"I told you you'd have fun." Tsukiko teased the grinning youkai as the two team left the arena as good friends, only two members forgotten behind
"And you were right." he agreed without missing a step "It's too bad we lost, I won't enjoy going back to annoying employers, but we don't a really have a choice..." he shrugged
In their back, Souta was holding out a countdown on his fingers, under Touya and Gamma intrigued eyes, and his own pack's mirthful ones. As he hit the end of his count, Tsukiko's voice was heard, more serious now "What if you had a choice?"
"Called it!" the Higurashi priest crowed loudly to his team
"That was a sucker's bet." Yuusuke shrugged "The Moon brat can't seem to help herself."
"Moon brat?" Jin parroted, too stunned by the question to dare believe it
Souta cleared his throat in an affected way "Hum. May I present Taishou Tsukiko, daughter of Taishou Sesshoumaru, heiress to the House of Moon, currently the only underworld family to deal on an equal footing with the Vongola in Asia?"
The three youkai eyes widened – because of course, they recognized the Vongola's name, they were underworld dwellers after all, even if they were more versed in youkai matters...
But more importantly, Jin was just like Kurama one of the few youkai to remember the world before Makai, Reikai and Ningenkai. A world where demon-kind had been ruled over by four Cardinal Lords each controlling a large portion of Japan – a time when daiyoukai were still around, and the Lords the most powerful of them.
Tsukiko's brow was now adorned with a very familiar blue moon – and her eyes flashed a familiar golden before dipping back to their more conventional sea green.
The wind spirit didn't need any more confirmation.
And to tell the true, he wasn't that surprised – he had always known, that it was impossible for all of the more powerful to have all die at the same time without any explanation, and he may have been young back then, he remembered the talk of secret havens where humans and youkai alike lived together.
"So you really managed to hide here, uh?" he realized, awed "For all this time, without Reikai catching on?" he added, not too wary of KoEnma nearby – like he'd told the girl earlier, he may not be a canine, he understood pack dynamics easily enough
And the Reikai prince was clearly a pack-mate looking up to his alpha when those two where side by side.
Tsukiko waved her wrist, the praying beads catching the youkai's attention "These are very useful. When enchanted by a competent holy servant or magical user, they can hide nearly anything..."
"Then tell me the code of honor of the West hasn't changed and I'll swear loyalty." Jin stated under the surprised glances of his two team-mates – Gamma being too young to realize what Jin had, while Touya, was just as old, hadn't traveled as much while younger, instead training with his clan
Still, surprised they maybe, neither protested, ready to put their fate in their team-mate's hands, Kismet pack noted – canine they weren't, they still behaved as a pack.
[Political System updated!
Jin (wind elemental, level 206) has been added as a Shadow Pack retainer: +2500XP
Touya (ice elemental, level 198) has been added as a Shadow Pack retainer: +2500XP
Gamma (blood elemental, level 182) has been added as a Shadow Pack retainer: +2500XP]
Once more, Sky Flame had hidden the brief surge of youki – and while two out of three hadn't expected the youki mark now attached to their aura, they were shinobi, used to adapt to unexpected situations.
So, given their leader's carefree smile and the other team's amicable reaction, they smiled too as they realized that they had what they had come to find.
A life not dictated by the worst dredges of the underworld and Makai.
While they knew how to restrain part of their aura, the trio weren't inventors like Suzuki, so Souta had rapidly enchanted some spare beads he had "They'll last maybe a week." he warned "But I'm sure you'll find your way to Tsuki-chan by then." he added with a warm smile – they were shinobi after all, managing to disappear to find their way to the District shouldn't be too hard for them
Given the trio's resolved stare, he was sure they'd see each other again soon after the tournament.
Finally, the afternoon came – and the second semifinal match with it.
Without much surprise, Team Toguro made quick work of Team MakaiKyosenshi.
"See you tomorrow for the third place match!" Koto concluded her commentary as the younger Toguro brother was stepping down from the arena where he'd blasted the enemy team in one move
"And the day after tomorrow for the match you are all waiting for... The final between Team Kismet and Team Toguro!" Juri completed under the excited and blood-crazed roars of the masses
Tsukiko (Age 121/Level 341/restricted level 114)
Stat/with specialty/with restriction
Strength 184/184/61
Agility 296/308/103
Endurance 225/230/77
Intelligence 232/256/85
Wisdom 191/203/68
Charisma 147/147/49
Luck 190/197/66
Yuusuke (Age 14/Level 203/restricted level 152)
Stat/with specialty/with restriction
Strength 127/141/106
Agility 73/90/68
Endurance 51/51/38
Intelligence 47/52/39
Wisdom 77/77/58
Charisma 29/29/22
Luck 34/34/26