The Power of a Team

The battle against Mugen, who is possessing his son Hyo, wages on as the heroes try everything they can to stop him at Justice High School. However, their efforts appear to be in vain until Batsu reveals his true level of power, letting out a burning aura. Inspired by this, Yusuke decides that he too would increase his spirit energy. Together, both fighters prepare to defeat Mugen once and for all.

"Their powers are incredible," said Kyosuke. "It goes well together. Maybe they'll have a chance against him this way."

"We can only hope," said Hinata.

Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei, and Botan all continue to watch in awe as well.

"Wow! It's like their spirit energies are joining together," said Kuwabara.

"Yes, and it continues to increase," said Kurama. "This kind of power is very unique."

"That's the power of a team!" said Botan.

"You're right, young lady," said Raizo. "Around these schools, students learn to fight with as a team. Once they put their spirit and energy into it, nothing can ever stop them."

Hiei, a known loner among his allies, began to wonder just how much truth there is to Raizo's words as he sees Yusuke's power increase.

Mugen also senses the spirit energies of Yusuke and Batsu. Although not sure exactly why they such increase power after easily dominating them at first, he nevertheless believes that they're not strong enough to defeat him.

"You two should know when it's time to give up," said he said. "Now you will find out why."

He dashes forward with lighting speed towards his two opponents with fast slash. However, they both manage dodge out of the way just in time. Yusuke counters with a punch to the stomach, which stuns Mugen. Batsu then follows up with a round kick to the face, sending Mugen backwards. Before he can react, Yusuke and Batsu dashes forward this time, landing fast punching combos up Mugen. The attack knocks Mugen back again, where he barely manages to regain his balance.

Batsu jumps into the air and perform the Shooting Star Kick. Mugen blocks but is still knocked back by the impact of the kick. Two have a brief exchange which only results in Mugen cutting Batsu's netted vest off and not doing any serious damage.

Without warning, Yusuke himself jumps into the air and lands a barrage of spirit energy punches to Mugen's face. Batsu follows up with both a Burning Elbow and flaming uppercut to the chin.

Mugen lands on his feet and looks at Batsu and Yusuke in disbelief.

"What's happening?!" he said. "I've underestimated these pests! Was this that power of friendship that Hyo was telling Kurow?"

"Yes!" said Hinata. "I think they're going to do it! Go Batsu and Yusuke!"

Kyosuke, however, is worried about how much Hyo's body can take. Nevertheless, he hopes Mugen would be defeated, something he knows is very important to his brother.

"Hey, Batsu," said Yusuke. "I got the gun and you got the bullet. Let's say we load up for the finale." He begins to gather spirit energy in his finger to prepare for the Spirit Gun.

"Gotta admit, I like the sound of that, man," said Batsu. "Let's go for it." Batsu then begins to gather his own on energy in his fists to prepare for the Guts Bullet.

Mugen can feel powers increasing. Though in disbelief at what he sees, he nevertheless continues his battle.

"You fools!" he said. "You can never defeat me! Now you will DIE!"

He charges forward at the two, only to be stopped by Batsu's punch to the stomach. Yusuke then follows up with powerful uppercut to the chin that sends Mugen flying into the air.

With the combined energies of the Guts Bullet and Spirt Gun as one attack, the fighters hit Mugen with a strong, powerful blast, putting an end to the battle once for all.

As a result of the attack, Hyo's body is back to normal.

It's finally over.

However, Hyo despite being freed from Mugen's possession, Hyo lays nearly motionless on the floor.

"Hyo!" yelled Kyosuke as he runs towards his brother, cradling him in his arms.

The bareily conscious Hyo slowly opens his eyes, seeing his brother and everyone else.

"Well done…everyone…" he said. "I'm grateful…that you freed me…from my father."

"Brother! Hang on!" said Kyosuke. "You'll be okay!"

"Kyosuke…" said Hyo. "Forget about me…and our father. Just live your life…with your friends." Hyo then looks around at everybody and says "Don't…make the same mistakes I made. None of you…let yourselves be that weak…It could happen….to you too…"

The words seem to have a slight impression on Yusuke, who wonders if the same thing really could happen to him. But he quickly dismisses the idea, believing nobody could ever control him like that.

"Brother, you don't need to keep talking!" said Kyosuke. "Just hang on! Don't give up!

Despite seeing his brother's worried look, Hyo smiles as he slowly closes eyes and slumps to the side.

"No…Brother!" said Kyosuke as he panics. "Open your eyes! Wake up! Brother!"

"Kyosuke…let him rest in peace," said Raizo. Kyosuke looks at Razio with tearful eyes, not wanting to accept the reality of the situation.

"No!" said Kyosuke. "Hyo!"

Feeliing both guilty and angry, Kuwabara turns away, disappointed at himself for not being able to summon the Spirit Sword to be of more help. Botan walks up to comfort the grieving Kyosuke as she herself begins to cry.

"So sorry, Kyosuke," said Botan.

Kurama and Hiei looks at everything that's happening in front of them. As they've witnessed death so many times, this doesn't leave much of an impression on him.

"There's always a risk when a body is controlled by a spirit demon," said Kurama. "But I'm afraid there was just no other way around it. This is what happens when they're not able to resist it."

"You see that smile on his face, Kurama?' said Hiei. "That means he got what he wanted. Stopping Mugen was more important to him than his own life. I say we did him a favor. Our duty is over." He then turns around and slowly walks away.

"Kyosuke…" said Batsu. His words don't get to Kyosuke, who finally breaks down, screaming his brother's name in tears.

Some days later

Life has since returned to normal for all the people involved in the incident. The only mystery is now is the disappearance of Kyosuke Kagami, who hasn't been seen since that night. Talks of his disappearance have been happening around the school after a newspaper article about him was released.

Batsu reads the article in his classroom at Taiyo High School.

"Kyosuke…where is he?" said Hinata.

"Who knows?"

"Huh? Why do you say that? Don't you care about Kyosuke?"

"Of course…but this is his battle alone and only he can fight this. There's nothing we can do about it."

"I guess you're right."

Batsu looks out the window and says "We'll just wait for him to come back and once he does, we'll welcome him as if nothing happened. That's how we can move on from this…together."

Elsewhere at Sarayashiki Jr. High, Yusuke, having finally decided to go back to school, sit at the balcony with Kuwabara and Botan.

"You know, it's been a couple of days, so what do you think about a rematch with Batsu?" asked Kuwabara. "You're still going to have one, right?"

"Maybe some other time," said Yusuke. "The guy is probably still waiting for his friend to come back, so a rematch can wait. I'm just not in a hurry for that right now." Yusuke then just stands up and looks the sky.

"He sure has changed," said Botan to Kuwabara. "I wonder if it's because of the fight."

"Your guess is as good as mine," Kuwabara responded. "I wonder if there's anything bugging him now."

"Do you think he might feel bad about not being able to save Hyo?"

"That's a good question. Maybe so."

Yusuke thinks over everything that's happened. But he confidently smiles, as he's ready to take on whatever comes his way in the future.