Chapter Eleven
Her power keeps rising. Maybe this heart-wrench is exactly what she needs. Thought the Masked Fighter as she watched Yusuke struggling to pull the trigger in her Reigan. Yusu's power is reaching a plateau. She's learned about as much as she can from this. It's time.
"It's been real fun, but I'll see you in hell. Remind me to apologize to you then!" Yusuke yelled. Just as she had reached her resolve to fire, the Masked Fighter appeared at her side, a hand on her right arm.
"Wait! It's alright." she said.
I—I can't move my arm! Yusuke thought as she and the Masked Fighter came back down into the ring.
Damn! I wanted to see that girl's power, but that small woman prevented that. Sasuke thought.
"Let me take over from here." said the Masked Fighter.
"Heads up! The mysterious fighter's mask is back on her face and she's stopped Yusuke's new attempt to fire her Reigan! She's squaring up! Could she just want some action for herself?" said Koto.
"What do you think the Masked Fighter is planning to do now?" Gai asked. "They were perfectly innocent until that doctor tricked them! Killing them wouldn't be fair!"
"Obviously, but then the completely fair choice may not be an available one. Death seems to be the only option." said Kakashi.
"But if that's true then why did she stop Yusuke?!" asked Gai, grabbing his head in frustration from the confusing outcome of the battle.
"Don't be hysterical. I assure you the Masked Fighter is someone we can trust." said the Hokage.
"Take it easy." said Anko, pushing Kuwabara back in a lying position.
"Don't let them..." Kuwabara trailed off.
"They're going to do whatever they can, Kuwabara." Anko reassured.
"The doctor. Don't let him leave."
"Don't worry, I'll stop him myself if I have to!"
"Neither of you have the stomach! You can't kill these humans! You know it'd be wrong! The only choice is to accept your defeat!" said the doctor.
Okay mystery lady. Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast. Yusuke thought.
The Masked Fighter put her hands together, as she took on an odd stance. "Mei In Metsu Jyu-Retsu Ko-Ki Ki Kyou Chou Chim-Com Mei, Ei Kyaku!"
"The Masked Fighter's chanting something now! Let's hope it's a final prayer for the men she's about to kill!" said Koto, getting fired up for the next onslaught.
A twister of energy was shooting up from the Masked Fighter's hands, creating a great wind.
"Damn, and here I was thinking I was impressive!" Yusuke said, as she shielded her eyes from the wind.
Such overpowering chakra! Sasuke thought, shielding his face with his arms from the strong wind that picked up.
"Rather impressive, don't you think?" asked the Hokage, "I told you we can trust the Masked Fighter."
"All this chakra coming from one person, it's incredible!" Asuma said, his lit cigarette going out from the strong winds.
"It's a hoax! Don't let it frighten you! I've gauged this fighter's strength! She doesn't have enough power to create an attack that big! It's just for intimidation! Attack her!" yelled the doctor. The three mind-controlled men leapt up to take on an aerial attack.
"While the Masked Fighter's hands are tied up the Dr. Ichigaki Team is charging! Looks like another slaughter!" said Koto.
"Kou!" The Masked Fighter raised her hands, the energy still greatly emitting brightly. She brought down her hands, touching the floor as she created a dome of energy. It pushed back Yusuke from the ring as it trapped the three mind-controlled boys. "Jyou!" The Masked Fighter then leapt up and pierced each man's heart with two of her fingers. "Sai!" The Verrucaes exploded, detaching from each of their backs, releasing them of its toxins. All three boys fell to the ring floor, motionless. Yusuke climbed back into the ring, looking at the three boys, before turning to the Masked Fighter.
"What the hell was that? You wiped 'em out in one shot! All their reiki is gone!" said Yusuke.
"There's nothing left of them." said Hiei.
"Yes, an immense attack." said Kurama.
"My perfect invention! How can you destroy scientific achievements with chanting?!" yelled the doctor.
"Hey! What did you do to those guys? Why'd you hold me back if you were just gonna kill 'em?" asked Yusuke as she walked up to her masked teammate.
"I did what I had to. Nothing more." said the Masked Fighter.
"Wow! I have no idea what happened, but I definitely love it! Let's see, there was a blast of light, some heart-piercing, exploding Verrucae, and now just one thing to do! One! Two! Three!..." Koto said, starting the count.
"I told you the Masked Fighter would handle it." said the Hokage.
"You told us we could trust her! She just killed three innocent people! No offense, Hokage-sama, but I don't think I want to root for this team anymore!" said Gai.
"...Eight! Nine! Ten! And the Urameshi Team wins the match!" Koto announced. The crowd all booed and hissed. "Hate 'em all you want, but you better buy some water if they keep getting victories like that!"
"Oh shut up, Fox-girl! That was no victory!" shouted Yusuke, silencing Koto.
"No, it's all a sham! We're supposed to be the good guys. We should have saved them!" said Kuwabara.
"Stupid doctor, pushin' this on us! Stupid Tournament!" Yusuke ground out as she walked over to the edge of the ring to where Dr. Ichigaki was. "Hey! Asshole! You know you're not walking away from this, don't you?"
The doctor took a step back, but stopped as he was surrounded with Kurama and Hiei trapping him from behind.
"Don't embarrass yourself." said Hiei.
"Acknowledge your cruelty and your punishment will be swift." said Kurama.
"Hold on! What if I told you that their Master Metamura was still alive? But I am the only person in the world who knows where he's hidden and how to reverse his disease!" said Dr. Ichigaki.
"Sorry, moot point." said Kurama, pointing over his shoulder to a man leaning on the wall not far from them.
"You…evil man!" said Master Metamura.
"But how did he get here?" asked Dr. Ichigaki.
"Your assistant was in the mood to talk after a short beating. His memory improved very quickly. We only had to walk two miles to find him. After seeing his symptoms Kurama was easily able to make an antidote." said Hiei.
"I acquired a few poisonous herbs as well. Care to try one doctor?" asked Kurama.
"No need for that, Kurama." Yusuke said as she glared at the doctor. "You ready to die?"
"You pathetic little minds. Did you really think I would experiment with body manipulation—" The doctor reached into his pocket and drew out a needle with purple liquid inside. "And not save some for myself?" He injected the liquid into his hand, laughing maniacally. "Yet another brilliant development from the incredible mind of Dr. Ichiga—" The doctor morphed into a more hideous creature as he grew to a height of seventeen feet, and his skin changed to an acid green. "Instant gene therapy!" said the transformed doctor.
"It's a Dr. Ichigaki metamorphosis! Now he's some kind of giant green killer monster with incredibly sharp fingernails!" said Koto.
"Did you mindless, puny creatures actually think you could stop the progress of science? Let me show you my modifications!" said the doctor, as he stretched his arm out to hit Yusuke who jumped back as Dr. Ichigaki's claws dug into the cement.
"Amazing! Ichigaki's stretching his arm like warm putty!" said Koto. Dr. Ichigaki stretched his other arm at Hiei and Kurama, who both jumped out of the way, and into the ring with Yusuke.
The doctor raised himself onto the platform of the ring, and stretched out his arm again at the three. Hiei and Kurama jumped to the left, while Yusuke went to the right. Ichigaki crossed his other arm, stretching it out to Yusuke, cutting a deep gash above her right elbow. Yusuke screamed as she lost her balance and fell to the ring floor, holding her bleeding arm.
"Yuu-chan!" Kurama called out, as he jumped away from Ichigaki's reach. Yusuke sat up, still holding her arm as Ichigaki made his way across the ring towards her. Hiei appeared in front of her in a flash, his sword at the ready in his left hand.
"Hiei, wait. I've got dibs on this jerk." said Yusuke, as she stood up.
"Yusuke's back up! Despite the delicious out-pour of blood from her arm! And what's more, she's asking Hiei to withdraw! Does she really want to take this beast on by herself?" said Koto.
"Just don't get killed." said Hiei, as he stepped aside for Yusuke.
"Go ahead then. Defy all logic!" said Dr. Ichigaki, as he stretched both his arms out at Yusuke. She made no effort to move as she allowed herself to be caught in between Ichigaki's arms, locking her own arms around them as she firmly planted her feet. Her eyes glowing with the ferocity of the fighter that she was, her reiki flaring up. "What's this?" Ichigaki wondered in surprise.
That's impossible! Her chakra is visible! Sasuke screamed in his mind, seeing chakra surround Yusuke like an aura. No genin—let alone an experienced jounin or even the Hokage can make their chakra visible to the naked eye!
Yusuke's reiki rose to maximum again as she lifted the doctor by the arms. Releasing him, she ran forward and jumped up, kicking Ichigaki three times, knocking the doctor back. "That was for the three innocent lives you stole!" Yusuke yelled, "And this one's for screwing with their master!" Yusuke launched forward and punched Ichigaki across his ugly face.
"Nicely put." said Kurama, who was helping Master Metamura to stay standing.
"And this one's for my friend who felt sorry for them and got his ass kicked into the ground!" Yusuke yelled, hitting Ichigaki with an upper cut to the jaw.
"Thanks for the shout out, Urameshi." said Kuwabara weakly.
"And the last one's for me! Just for pissing me off!" Yusuke yelled, hitting Ichigaki with such force that he was sent flying into the stands, buried under rubble. "Now you go think about what you've done you jerk!"
The crowd was speechless, not one sound came from them as they stared wide-eyed at the pile of rubble. Even the people who came to support Yusuke and her team were twice as more speechless, seeing how truly strong one girl was against a creature that was eight times her size.
"Wow, can I just say—wow? Dr. Ichigaki has been totally demolished by Yusuke's powerful assault! The crowd is…speechless!" said Koto.
"She's very strong, isn't she?" said the Hokage, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. His jounins were rather awe-stricken to have overlooked such a natural prodigy of battle, including Anko who had no idea that her once troublesome student was so formidable now.
She's so strong…! Stronger than— Sasuke thought back to his fight with that Grass-nin during his time in the Forest of Death, and then glanced over at his sensei. His hands clenched tightly under his chin.
"It's been many years since I've seen that technique." said the Hokage.
"So you know that woman?" Asuma asked, lighting up a new cigarette with shaking hands.
"In a way, yes." the Hokage said.
"It doesn't matter. Taking away that evil man's life is never going to bring them back. Yen…Ryo…Kai…It's all my fault. How can I ever forgive myself?" asked Master Meta-mura.
"Save your tears, Metamura. Your boys aren't dead." said the Masked Fighter. Looking over at the three men the Masked Fighter had supposedly killed, were now getting up.
"Are you kidding? Now this is just stupid weird!" said Yusuke.
"Hey! Fill me in! I can't see up there, you know!" shouted Kuwabara who was still lying on his back.
"We're really alive!" said Kai.
"And in complete control!" said Ryo.
"But, I don't understand. A few minutes ago their reiki was completely AWOL!" said Yusuke.
"Yes, I guess it worked. It's been twenty years since I've used that technique." said the Masked Fighter.
"I never thought I'd see you again!" said Master Metamura as he approached his students. All three of them looked happy to their teacher, but soon quickly turned away.
"Why do you turn?" asked Master Metamura.
"We've committed horrible sins, master. I can't even remember all the people that I've—" Kai cut himself off, unable to finish.
"The lessons that you've taught us didn't mean anything. We're a disgrace to your school." said Ryo.
"Please, just leave us master. We can't bear to look at you now." said Yen.
"Why couldn't she just have killed us?" asked Kai.
"How can you say such things?" asked Master Metamura.
"Your master is right. Your guilt is misplaced. The technique I used is called the Reikoudan. It is one of the five great attacks by trial, and is powered by your own reiki." The Masked Fighter said. "If your souls are corrupt, then the wickedness will take your life. But if you are pure of heart, then that purity consumes you, destroying any outside impediments. It was your souls that destroyed the Verrucae and freed you, not me. That proves you have nothing to hide."
"Yen, Ryo, Kai. What she says is what I've known all along. If there was anything you could have done to prevent those kills, you would have. Your bodies were taken over. But who you really are—your souls—are still clean. I see you in the same way now as I always have. As my three most noble students. Let's put this behind us!" said Master Metamura. His three students turned around, and all ran up to their teacher. Tearful and happy.
"We missed you so much!" said Yen.
"Master, is it true? Are you really going to be okay again?" asked Ryo.
"Yes, I think so." said Master Metamura.
"Well, mystery lady that was some attack." Yusuke said as she wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm.
"You have done us well, Fighter." said Kurama.
"They're all okay. I think letting those guys beat the snot out of me is the best thing I've ever done." said Kuwabara.
"And so in a dramatic explosion of emotion fit to make any demon wretch, the Urameshi Team is set to advance!" said Koto, as Master Metamura and his students were walking out of the arena together.
Yusuke walked over to where Kuwabara laid, and bent down at his side. "So how's he doing?" she asked.
"Not too great. It's nothing life threatening but he's clearly going to need time to recover." said Anko.
"Time, huh?" Yusuke muttered.
"Urameshi-san!" Yusuke looked around and saw Kai running up to her and her team. "Maybe I could be of some help! I'd like to repay you if it's possible. We're the ones who hurt Kuwabara-san! Let me fight in his place, I'll join as your substitute!"
Yusuke smiled but shook her head. "Well thanks for the offer but this dufus would have a fit if I gave his spot away. You understand, right? Plus we're only allowed one substitute. And only after one of our guys is dead."
"Urameshi, I'm not dead yet." said Kuwabara.
"Come on. Let's get Lazarus off the grass." said Anko, as she and Kurama picked Kuwabara up and walked off.
"You're a good man, but we got to do this alone." said Yusuke.
"I understand." said Kai.
"Take care of your master. I'd say he needs you the most, now. Right?"
"Of course, well good luck." Kai turned and ran off to catch up with his master. The crowd all began to chant "Kill Yusuke" again.
"Oh, shove it where it hurts!" Yusuke shouted as a chime sounded.
"Such dislike towards one person alone." said Kurenai, "And towards a child, no less."
"You can't have everybody like you." Asuma sighed.
"May I have your attention please. The third round of the Dark Tournament will begin immediately." came the announcement.
"What? Give me a break!" said Yusuke, irritated for her team not getting a break between rounds.
"They're starting the next round already?" Kakashi said with slight surprise.
"Sounds like someone wants to get rid of Yusuke and her team." said Kurenai.
"Obviously." Asuma snorted, "She and her team are the underdogs of this tournament, and no one expects the rookies to be so talented."
"Furthermore, the Tournament Committee has unanimously decided to begin the round in accordance to the match diagram, starting from the left. Team Urameshi and Team Masho, please report to the ring."
"What? Again?" asked Hiei.
Outraged by the ruling, Yusuke jumped back up into the ring and ran straight up to Koto, surprising her as she got up in her face. "Hey! Why don't you tell your stupid friends up there to let one of the other teams fight next!" she yelled.
"I'm sorry Miss. If you have a complaint you'll have to take it up with the committee. I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for their decision!" said Koto.
The masked Fighter had come up next to Yusuke and silently told her to regroup with everyone. I suspected they'd pull this. Two of our members are hurt, and after the Reikoudan technique, I will be of little help as well. she thought.
"Okay, if a doubleheader's the call I might as well enjoy it. I've got plenty of anger left from the troll doctor, anyway." said Yusuke, as she backed away from Koto.
"Anko-sensei, help me. It's about to start. I need you to help me get there." said Kuwabara, as he made an effort to sit up.
"No can do. You're in no shape to fight. The best thing you can do now is focus on your recovery." said Anko, folding her arms and nodding her head.
"But we're all stuck in this thing together, sensei. I can't just lie down in some sickbed and listen to my teammates fighting for their lives!" said Kuwabara.
"Team Masho! This is your final call! Enter or be disqualified!" Koto called, as a sudden wind picked up and five cloaked figures appeared. "And here they are people! Appearing in the same mysterious fashion as always! Team Masho!"
"Why do I get the feeling...This is gonna be a tough one?" Yusuke asked herself, getting a familiar feeling from the other team, a feeling that was on the tip of her tongue.
"How do you think Yuu-chan's haggard team will survive this one?" asked Kakashi, looking down at his student Sasuke, who had been quiet during the first fight.
"It just might be time to give up." he replied.
"Giving up will result in their immediate deaths." said the Hokage, shocking the group by the news. "It is the condition they were put under as the Guest team."
Anko helped Kuwabara back out into the arena, setting him down as gently as she could.
"Oh look, he's off the sick bed. Now that he's fully recovered, I'm sure he'll be a great help." said Yusuke, as she turned her attention back on the cloaked figures that were her next opponents.
"Kuwabara is not the only one low on his power..." Kurama said, looking over at the Masked Fighter. "That special attack drained her considerably."
"So it's three non-gimps against five of them?" said Yusuke.
Worse. Hiei still can't use his arm. Thought Kurama.
"Who wants to begin? The first can be captain." said one of the cloaked figures. A sudden wind picked up, circling around one of the cloaked figures. Whipping away their cloak, a lean man with hair as red as Kurama's and a single horn on his head, and wearing white trousers was revealed.
"I'll go and take those humans then." he said, as he walked up to the center of the ring.
"Jin the Wind Master. Well that would explain who this team is." said Kurama.
"You know these jokers?" asked Yusuke.
"Indeed, most youkai do. Team Masho must be a pseudonym for this tournament. Their actual names are the Shinobi, like you and I, but of Makai." said Kurama.
"So they're ninja's too, huh?" Yusuke said, thinking how it might be a disadvantage since they would know similar jutsus.
"Indeed. They are stealth fighters. Deadly mercenaries to the highest bid. A dispute arises and they solve it in secret. They'll more than likely know every ninja art that we do. Be cautious, Yuu-chan."
Yusuke walked up to the center of the ring where Jin was already waiting. From afar, Jin did not seem so big, but up close, he practically towered over Yusuke. If Yusuke were to stand as high as she could on her toes she would then be able to reach his nose with her forehead.
"Team captains, please decide the battle terms." said Koto.
"Let's fix these stakes simple enough." Jin began, speaking in a heavy accent Yusuke was not at all familiar with. "One to one to one till I'm I tower on my feet holding the five."
"Whatever he said." said Yusuke, unable to decipher what she had just agreed to, hopefully it was to a one-on-one fight instead of another group melee.
"Jin has asked for a series of one on one matches with the advancing team taking five wins, and Yusuke gives the nod!" announced Koto.
"They're on a roll. They can do it!" said Gai.
"I'm not sure what fight you're watching. Half the team I'm cheering for can't even walk now." said Asuma, bringing Gai's spirits down a bit.
"They will prevail, the forever burning flames of youth is on their side!" Gai said in reassurance more to himself than to the others.
"I agree with Asuma-sensei," Kurenai said, "Three against five is a disadvantage."
Jin circled around Yusuke, as Yusuke followed, not wanting her back to him until they both were facing their own teams, they stopped halfway.
"A damn near pleasant wind be filling the air now. Tell a person by the wind and yours is the kind I like, Urameshi." said Jin, giving Yusuke a playful wink before he walked back to his team. Yusuke didn't know why but she felt her cheeks get warm for a split second before she mentally smacked herself to get a grip. Another chime sounded just as Yusuke returned to her teammates.
"May I have your attention, please? The Tournament Committee will be instituting a medical examination before the next round."
"What is this, gym class?" asked Yusuke.
"Due to the Urameshi Team fighting without rest, and in accordance to section thirteen of the Tournament Index, report to the medical tent."
"As long as they don't grope my chest and make me cough." Yusuke said, as she looked over to a tent where an attractive nurse came out. "Who the heck is she?"
"Hello, gentlemen and my lady." said the nurse, as she raised her right hand and held it up in front of each member of Yusuke's team. Stopping as she came to Hiei and the Masked Fighter. "Yes, you two fighters. Would you please follow me to the medical tent?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Hiei said, "We need no attention. Why don't you go nurse the fool lying on his back?"
"Because his wounds do not interest me in the ways that yours do, Hiei. Maybe I can help you." said the nurse.
"What's the big deal? Get on with the fight!" yelled one of the demons.
A temptress disguised as a nurse…what a pathetic cover-up. Sasuke thought, as he watched both Hiei and the Masked Fighter follow the nurse back to the tent without question. Makes a guy wonder if they're aware of such an obvious trap?
Back down in the stadium, both Hiei and the Masked Fighter were in the tent with the nurse. "Are you experiencing any fatigue, or sharp or recurring pains?" asked the nurse.
"No." answered the Masked Fighter.
"What about you, Hiei-san? Surely that last attack had some effect on you." said the nurse.
"Why do you ask? Isn't it your job to know?" asked Hiei coldly.
"It must be hard to fight with your arm in excruciating pain. Clearly you will both have to stay with me until your health is improved." said the nurse.
"I don't go where people tell me to, lady. You can treat yourself." Hiei said, as he and the Masked Fighter both turned to leave, but stopped as a force held them back.
"Quickly! It's a trap!" said the Masked Fighter.
Both hurried to get out, but were met with a shocking force field. Preventing either of them to go beyond the tent's door-flap.
"Dammit! What's happening to them, Kurama?" asked Yusuke.
"It's a force field." said Kurama.
"Well isn't that convenient! Hey! Red-head!" Yusuke yelled, as she ran towards the tent. "Why do I get the feeling you're not a licensed nurse!"
When the nurse turned around Yusuke was met with a sharp pain as she was pushed back by the force field. The nurse removed her uniform, revealing that she was wearing thick green cords that coiled around her curvy body.
"That's correct, Yuu-chan. Enchantress is more like it." said the nurse.
"Yeah...that was my second guess." said Yusuke.
"Ruka is my name, regarded as the most talented creature alive in spell defense incantations." said Ruka.
"Spell defense? What is she talkin' about?" asked Kuwabara.
"It's a different way to manipulate energy. She doesn't have any attack powers, but her defense is so top notch that nothing can break through her force field." said Botan, suddenly appearing without warning.
"What the—? Where the heck were you 'till now, huh?" Kuwabara practically screamed from surprise, looking up at the blue-haired grim reaper.
"Sorry, I had to take a bit of a detour." Botan said with a guilty lilt to her voice.
"What sort of detour?" Kuwabara asked.
"The kind that involves a few people demanding to be allowed in to watch you guys fight."
"Say what?! You mean everyone's here again?!"
"Give me my damn team back!" Yusuke demanded.
"Didn't you hear the announcement, Yuu-chan? They're both very sick. They're going to need a little time to recover. Sokyu-jyu-jyo!" said Ruka. The force field's power increased, causing both Hiei and the Masked Fighter to step back further into the tent. Yusuke, too, fell back from the tent, the power emitting from it being too strong to be near as the electric sparks snapped against her skin.
"That energy thread, it uses their own reiki against them. The more they struggle, the more powerful it will become." said Kurama.
"Ah! No way!" Kiba said, looking to one section of the stands.
"What is it, Kiba-kun?" Sakura asked.
"Our jounin teachers are here!" he said, pointing across the stands towards where their teachers were. "Even the Hokage is here!"
"I wonder what they're all doing here? Do you suppose they all know Yusuke-san?" Ino asked.
"Hey, is that Sasuke over there with them, too?" Chouji asked.
"Sasuke-kun's here?" Sakura asked in hope, as she looked over to where the teachers and the Hokage were and spotted the young Uchiha. "It is! It is Sasuke-kun!"
"Hey, what's going on down there?" Tenten suddenly asked, bringing everyone's attention down into the arena. "It almost looks like two of Yuu-chan's teammates are trapped."
"They are." Neji said, using his Byakugan to see the cause behind it. "That tent is wrapped in a thick wall of chakra and that woman is behind it all."
"Hey, has anyone seen Naruto?" Sakura asked all of a sudden, looking for her normally loud-mouthed teammate.
"As a result of the medical examination, Hiei and the Masked Fighter have been ruled unfit to fight. They will sit out for the duration of the round while they are suitably treated." said the voice over the intercom.
"What the hell is this?!" Yusuke said, as she leapt into the ring and ran up to Koto again, startling the youkai. "How can you let them lie like that?"
"I've already told you, I don't have anything to do with these decisions! Really! I'm completely neutral!" Koto said in utter surprise and fear of Yusuke's anger.
"Wrong stupid answer!" Yusuke yelled, as Kurama walked up behind her and placed a hand on her right shoulder to calm her down.
"It's all right." said Kurama.
"Says who?!" Yusuke bit out.
"Obviously the committee is against us. However we have not been hurt. Truthfully the Masked Fighter and Hiei are in no shape to fight at the moment, anyway. Think. Why would she only capture two of us, when she had the chance to do more? Perhaps her power is not great enough to restrict us all, and she took a pair who were too weak to resist the force field." Yusuke looked back at where her two teammates were trapped and then at where Kuwabara laid on the grass. "She's helped less than the committee thinks. This will only give Team Masho a false sense of security. The advantage is ours."
"Hey! What's the deal with this set-up?" came Naruto's voice, as Yusuke and Kurama looked back to see him running up to them.
"Naruto? How the hell did you get down here?" Yusuke asked, slightly irritated that the blonde entered the arena where he was in more danger than thought of.
"Don't worry about us, Naruto-kun, Yuu-chan and I will be just fine fighting this team on our own." Kurama said calmly, which seemed, surprisingly enough, to have satisfied Naruto's question for the time being as he nodded his head.
"Hey, gaki! You shouldn't be down here!" Anko said with her hands on her hips, standing beside the injured Kuwabara.
"You should talk, you aren't supposed to be down here either, Anko-san." Botan pointed out, as Anko sweat-dropped from the accusation.
Sasuke was looking down at Naruto, somewhat surprised to see him acting so familiar with Yusuke and her teammate. What's that dobe doing down there? he wonder with mild interest.
"Two against five now, Jin. You can destroy them all." said the largest cloaked figure.
"Nah...I'm having to change my mind if it's going to be a fix like that." Jin said, "I don't give a damn. Somebody else go. I'm sure I'd rather be the watch now."
Jin turned to walk away from the ring but a hand came up to stop him. "It wouldn't be wise to think you can disrupt the sect this time." Jin gripped the hand that stopped him, anger rising within him.
"Don't you ever put your gritty hands on me again." he said through gritted teeth. Pushing the cloaked figure aside, he walked over to the far wall and sat down, whistling pleasantly to himself.
"Do not get too upset, Bakken. He only wants a true challenge in this battle." said a smaller cloaked figure.
"I could care less. Who's fighting them first?" asked Bakken.
"Please." said another cloaked figure, as he jumped up into the ring, removing his cloak, revealing a lanky demon with pale skin and a snake-like face. "The master of disguise will."
"You're on!" Yusuke said, but Kurama stepped forward into the ring. "What are you doing?"
"You must leave this one to me. We're going to have to play this round very carefully, Yuu-chan. Let me fight them as long as I can and ascertain their weaknesses. You'll take over when I fall." said Kurama.
"And it's Kurama versus Gama! You may begin!" said Koto.
Gama was a demon that did not look very powerful, due to his bare and plain look. He pulled out two brushes, taking one in each hand.
"Tell me demon traitor, what does the word 'makeup' bring to mind? Human females no doubt. A little gloss to attract the next mate. Disgusting isn't it? The way humans manage to bastardize everything they touch. Over centuries the human influence has infected Makai as well. Now few demons even know its original power." Gama said, as he took the brushes and began painting patterns on his face, chest, arms and shoulders.
"Allow me to show you." Gama's power began to rise as he had completed his costume.
"Now I haven't seen that one before!" Koto said, "Gama's covered his body in some sort of face paint! And now his reiki is going insane!"
"Strange, these new guys seem different." said Neji.
"What do you mean?" asked Tenten.
"It's their chakra, it matches too well with any shinobi from our village." said Neji.
"It's because they are." said Jiraiya, surprising a few of the genins as they had not noticed him sitting behind them till now. "Of course, they're much more lethal than any human shinobi. They've mastered the most ancient of the shinobi arts, this is going to be a tough battle, especially when there's only Yusuke and Shuichi who are able to fight."
Looks like my old student Jiraiya has decided to make his presence known. The Hokage thought, looking to where Jiraiya was sitting with the genins. Strange to see him here of all places.
"These fighters, they're strangely inapt with the use of chakra." said Kurenai.
"Not only that, but they are masters of the more archaic arts of ninjutsu." said Kakashi, lifting up his hitai-ate to reveal his Sharingan eye to analyze the exact amount of chakra being used and to try and copy the unknown technique.
"I've never seen those types of jutsus before." Asuma muttered.
"More or less, they are a group to be fearful of." the Hokage said, bowing his head to look directly down at Yusuke, whose back was to him. And this will be quite a challenge for Yusuke and her team. Not only are these fighters skilled and familiar with the ninja arts, but they also bring up styles that are foreign to this plain. The Hokage then turned his gaze towards the tent where Hiei and the Masked Fighter were trapped within the Enchantress' force field. Much will need to be adjusted to suit the laws of ningenkai…and you are aware of this…eh, Genkai-san?
Gama attacked first, aiming for Kurama, only to split one of the stone tiles in the ring.
His reiki is strong, but does not extend far from his body. Close combat is clearly his strength. Thought Kurama, as he dodged every physical attack Gama threw at him.
"Gama's decorations really seem to boost his power! Kurama can't even squeeze in a counterattack!" said Koto.
You're playing a dangerous game, Kurama, Hiei thought, waiting to gauge the enemy's weakness before you attack. You could at least draw your weapon.
"I know all about you and your plant concoctions, Kurama!" Gama said, as he continued to attack Kurama. "And I don't plan to give you time to make them! Let me demonstrate what I mean!"
As Kurama jumped over Gama, Gama took that moment to swiftly paint a knot around Kurama's left ankle. As Kurama landed, he tried to move, but found his left leg to be anchored down. And seeing the knot, he could only ask the obvious.
"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly have you done to me?" he asked.
"Your leg feels like a giant block of lead, doesn't it?" asked Gama.
"That smell." Kurama said, noticing a faint familiar scent that he knew all too well.
"Let me get this straight. You can't move any part of your body that gets marked up by that junk?" asked Yusuke.
"I've seen similar styles back in my day," Anko said, "But none of that compares to this guy's technique."
"Why try to fight the inevitable?" Gama asked, as he watched Kurama trying to get away while dragging his left leg behind him. He stalked Kurama around the ring like a predator hunting its prey. "The Makeup of Death has already marked you Kurama. There's no hope for escape."
"Gama's makeup seems to take a reverse effect when painted on his enemies! And with Kurama barely able to walk, Gama is slowly moving in like a lion, stalking his wounded prey!" said Koto.
With Kurama unable to move with his usual agility, Gama moved in and marked his remaining ankle, and both his wrists.
"The costume is completed. The Makeup of Chains. Go ahead—just try to limp away now." said Gama.
"Kurama! Get rid of the outfit!" Yusuke shouted.
"Don't be naïve, girl. Even if he had the strength to, it wouldn't change a thing. Nearly two-thousand pounds of weight is chained directly to his skin!" Gama said, as he began to jump around Kurama's immobile body. "Yes, that's better. Finally you're accepting your fate."
"Kurama's arms and legs are completely useless! He can do nothing but stand and wait for his bloody demise!" said Koto.
"Don't leave me alone with these guys!" Yusuke said almost desperately, because after seeing what the first fighter could do in minutes she knew she wouldn't stand a chance against four more mystery ninjutsu.
"If he dies, we're done for!" Kuwabara said.
"Now you die, demon traitor!" shouted Gama, as he launched himself straight for Kurama.
"Rose Whip!" Kurama whipped his head around as his trademark weapon lashed through Gama in many places. Shocked, Gama could only stand back as his blood poured from the deep gashes in his body.
"A whip made from a plant? That's quite a talent he has to manipulate plants like that." Kurenai said.
"Makes a person wonder where he stashes it all." Asuma said.
"Wow! He's so cool!" Ino said with hearts in her eyes. "To use such a beautiful flower and turn it into a deadly weapon—he's stolen my heart!"
"The other day Ino was swooning over Sasuke, but now she's swooning over another pretty-boy." Chouji said, unable to understand a woman's heart, let alone a thirteen-year-old girl.
"Women…they're so troublesome." Shikamaru grumbled.
"But...the Makeup...of Chains..." Gama choked, as he looked up at Kurama to see his Rose Whip wrapped around his long red hair.
"Only an amateur depends on arms and legs for victory." said Kurama.
"Way to go, Kurama! One down!" Yusuke cheered.
"An unbelievable one-eighty, people! Kurama has somehow taken control of this fight!" said Koto.
"And it's more than obvious that that boy is truly in a league of his own." said Asuma. And possibly even on an unreachable level of intelligence compared to Shikamaru's IQ rank.
"In Genkai-san's letter, she told me about Yusuke-dono's team. Shuichi-kun, as she had mentioned, is similar to Naruto in a way. That a spirit of a fox demon is trapped inside his body." said the Hokage. "But unlike the kyuubi that resides in Naruto unwillingly, the kitsune spirit chose to take refuge in Shuichi-kun, keeping the knowledge of his past life, and able to control his other side with great ease. They are in perfect sync with each other."
"At least he's on our side." Kakashi said.
"Damn you! Don't take the credit for this. I've killed myself today by the mistake of not sealing your energy as well." said Gama.
"Don't waste your breath in conversation." Kurama said, as his whip reseeded back into his hair. "I know with that the power you're using to restrain me you could easily heal your injuries. Release me and I will let you walk away with your life."
"Convincing, aren't you? But the battle isn't over yet." said Gama determinedly.
"Even with my arms and legs bound, you are in no shape to fight me. Don't die pointlessly, Gama. You're too intelligent for that." said Kurama.
"I appreciate your confidence!" said Gama, as he staggered forward in an attempt to hit Kurama, only to miss while his blood splattered across Kurama's clothes.
"Don't move. You'll bleed to death if you keep trying to fight. It's no use. Be wise." said Kurama.
Gama continued to swing his arms, his blood spilling out, staining Kurama's clothes. After awhile, Gama had stopped as he looked at his progress, and then collapsed.
"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Uh, one..." Koto said, as she began the count.
"You were correct after all. It's wholly your fault that you die in vain. I cannot pity you." said Kurama.
"Four...Five...Six..."
Gama raised his head up to look at Kurama.
"The death is yours." He breathed.
"What?" said Kurama.
"You never asked me what gave my makeup its power—what made it different than the makeup of those human fools...The difference is in the main ingredient, Kurama. It's made of my blood...I—have—given you The Makeup of the Seal." said Gama, his voice becoming barely audible.
"I am definitely not liking the sound of that." Yusuke breathed.
"It's what I should have done from the start...I've sealed your reiki...Your entire power trapped inside your body. Even as I fade, the effect will live on. I've secured victory for my Shinobi sect. And so I die, knowing it is not in vain." Gama's head dropped, as nothing more came from him.
"Nine...Ten! Urameshi Team takes the first point! Will the next fighters please approach the ring!" said Koto.
"But Shuichi-senpai can't even defend himself!" said Naruto.
The next fighter was the small cloaked figure. As he removed his cloak, he revealed to be a fighter ready to kill. His icy glare able to send chills down Naruto's spine.
"It's Touya, the Master of Ice. Get him out of there, Yusuke!" Hiei said through gritted teeth, hating how he was trapped with no way out.
"I—I wish I could but…" Yusuke stuttered, hating how she couldn't help her teammate who was immobile. The new opponent had a cold stare, as he gazed down at his dead teammate. His icy exterior showing no remorse on his youthful face.
"You fought bravely, Gama. I assure you that your death will be honored. Kurama will pay." he said, turning his glare towards Kurama.
AN: Sorry for the long wait, I hope you readers enjoyed this chapter. Please review and ciao for now!