29. Rule Change
"So. I think I got it. Purple karate gi, hair that stands on end like fire. dark skin like your sister's. blood red eyes. red Satsu aura. Shouldn't take long to identify."
"Yusuke." Boton started but Kuwabara cut her off.
"Sounds like just another freak if you ask me. What's so special about him?"
"You really are a moron, aren't you?" Darrell muttered. "I've fought him myself. There's no way you'll be able to beat him, Kuwabara. Not at your current strength, anyway."
"What you say??" Kuwabara shot back, rising out of his seat. "How about we go one-on-one right now?!"
"Chill out, Kuwabara." Darrell said calmly. "Save it for our match tomorrow."
"Yeah. listen to the human over there. He knows what he's talking about."
"Don't encourage him, Hiei." Yusuke mumbled under his breath. Both teams were in Yusuke's hotel room discussing the Akuma predicament that was 5 days away. They were talking for a good 15 minutes. and already they seemed to be on the same page.
"But there is still something wrong here." Boton started. "If this Akuma person is really a demon. then why don't the people at Spirit World have any recollection of his existence?"
"Shouldn't YOU know that?" Yusuke shot back. Boton sweatdropped as she jumped in her seat, surprised.
"Well, uh, I'm not in charge of that." she mumbled.
"Anyway. I think that should do it," Sakura S. said. "Although we need to be at our best when we fight him and the other two guys coming, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't go easy on one another tomorrow--"
"WHAT A MINUTE!!" Yusuke bolted. "You mean to tell me that there is more than this guy??"
Hinata nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"So why didn't you tell us about them before?!"
"We don't know anything about these two," she responded. "We don't even know their names."
"So how do you know about them?" Yusuke asked.
"The question should be. if we are ready to take the challenge."
"Kurama. of course I'm going through with this," Yusuke answered. "There's just the fact that we're not dealing with just one fighter here."
"So what?" Hiei mumbled. "We've defeated the Toguro team. They had 4 fighters and we're dealing with 3 here. The odds are three against 10, including this Ryu and Wangtang character. and the idiot over there."
"Hey!" Kuwabara yelled, but Hiei kept going.
"It seems simple enough. We go, we fight, and we win."
"If only it was that simple." Darrell added.
"Trust me. It will be an easy task with me with you."
Darrell and Hiei stared at one another for a long while. then Darrell sighed.
"I'm not going to argue about it. I guess I'll see what you guys can do when we fight tomorrow."
"Sure. It's your funeral," Hiei mumbled.
----- -----
"Hello everyone to another day of hardcore matches in the Turn of the Century tournament! Today has a bit of a twist to it, though. Starting with this match right here, team C-8 vs. C-28, the way the matches go will be like this. At the end of a round, the winner will get a chance to either continue to the next round or switch with a teammate that hasn't been defeated. Today, things will begin slowly with one match then we'll go on to the multitude of fights that you've become accustomed to. Now then, will the first two fighters from C-8 and 28 please step in?"
On the side of the ring where the announcer was at, Hinata stood up.
"Okay, guys. I'll go first. I'm accustomed to switching between rounds. Let's see how our new partners are, huh?"
"Just be careful," Sakura K. advised. "Remember that these guys are good."
Hinata nodded as she stepped in. At the same time on the other side of the ring, Kuwabara was in his own train of thought.
{Since I've looked back on their matches, it's a good chance that Darrell's going first. In that's the case. I'll go in and beat him myself. He thinks he's so great. I'll show him!}
Without anyone knowing it, Kuwabara rushed into the ring.
"So I guess the fool's going first," Hiei noticed.
"I guess it will save us the time of choosing who will go first," Yusuke added. Kurama kept quiet as the two fighters in the ring met. It was clear that Kuwabara was surprised to see Hinata instead of Darrell.
"WAIT A MINUTE!!!" Kuwabara yelled, catching everyone's attention. He ran towards the side of the ring where Hinata's teammates were sitting and pointed to Darrell.
"What's the matter? Aren't you going to fight me?"
"Huh?" Darrell let out, surprised. He waited a few seconds before answering. "Well, to be honest. I'm waiting to take on Yusuke Urameshi. What's wrong with fighting Hinata?"
"You want to know?? It goes against my honor code," Kuwabara answered. "I don't fight girls, even if they are fighters."
Darrell stared at him for a long while. then simply pointed behind him. Kuwabara turned around. and was decked by Hinata's fist, sending him reeling.
"You JERK!!!" Hinata screamed, her tone louder than ever before. "You're in a tournament for crying out loud! You'll be facing a lot of fighters from all sorts of backgrounds, male or female. Our whole team is made up of 3 girls and one boy. How in the hell are you going to follow your code in this match??"
"Hinata." Sakura S and K said simultaneously. Hinata had to be pretty upset about Kuwabara's code. if she actually cursed in the open like that.
"Okay. I'll ditch the code this time." Kuwabara mumbled. "I'm not going to like this though."
"Wow. Kuwabara actually isn't following his code," Yusuke gasped. "This ought to be interesting."
"Okay, then. Round 1 has Hinata Wakaba vs. Kazuma Kuwabara. Ready? Fight!"
"Okay, Hinata," Kuwabara started, "Even though I don't have any choice in this, I'll try to give it all I got."
"Don't try. Just do it."
Hinata instantly went into her stance ready to fight but Kuwabara stood still.
"I'll let you get the first hit." he said. and Hinata followed his instructions. Hinata gave Kuwabara a few random attacks that he evaded. She then threw her Rengakiken. Kuwabara took the full 8 hits of her special move, being knocked down by her energy sphere. Kuwabara stood up quickly and retaliated with his own hard punch. It was fast, but it only gazed Hinata's cheek. The force, however, was enough to make her stumble backwards.
Kuwabara let her recover. and Hinata wasn't exactly pleased about it.
"Why aren't you fighting seriously?" she asked while putting her hands on her hips. Kuwabara sighed.
"Are you sure about this? If I do go all out. then I could injure you pretty badly. I just can't--"
"Listen. don't take it personally," she cut him off. "Just pretend that I'm not a girl. If that's the only way I'm going to get a good fight out of you. then do that."
"Fine."
Kuwabara closed his eyes for a while, focusing himself. When he opened his eyes again, he held his hands together, charging his energy. They began to glow with orange energy similar to Darrell's. only without the flames.
"SPIRIT SWORD!!!" He yelled out as his energy went out into a large energy rod. He placed it to his side, ready to fight. On the sidelines, Darrell was livid. slightly.
"I don't believe it! He has a sword move just like mine!" he yelled out. Darrell's response caught Kuwabara's ears and caused him to smile a cocky one.
"Yeah. well I've been using this baby for a long while," Kuwabara bragged, "and unlike your sword, I can hold mine as long as I want! Take that, Darrell!"
Darrell rolled his eyes. as well as Yusuke on the other side.
"Great. Now he has a reason to brag," both said simultaneously.
"Alright!" Hinata chimed as she went back into her stance. "That's more like it. Now, no more holding back!"
This time, both fighters charged in. Hinata tried out a punch to the head, but Kuwabara evaded and tried to slash her on her side. He almost connected if Hinata didn't roll forward to get away. Hinata got back up as Kuwabara tried to regain his momentum and went into her flaming Enbukyaku. Kuwabara narrowly blocked it with his sword. but when Hinata's sneaker made contact, Kuwabara's energy caused a sudden shock to cover her body. She immediately stopped her move and fell on her back.
"That's new." Sakura K. mentioned.
"Heh. nice trick, huh?" Kuwabara asked. "As soon as you touch my sword, you'll be in for a shock. I should have warned you."
Hinata shook her head and got up, ready to fight again. This time, Kuwabara took to the offensive by himself. Hinata's first instinct was to block, but she quickly remembered what Kuwabara said. As Kuwabara came down with a strike from above, Hinata dodged it by moving left and countered with her Shouyouken. Kuwabara was sent flying to the other side of the ring and landed on his back. Hinata watched him get up, wiping him mouth with the back of his open hand.
"Great shot. but now let's pull out the stops."
Sakura S. immediately noticed an increase in Kuwabara's energy as he charged up. An orange aura shot out of his body as another Spirit Sword came into his free hand. Not only that, but this one, along with the previous sword became slightly longer and thicker in length.
"How's this, Hinata?" Kuwabara asked. "It's my Double Spirit Sword. Twice the threat, twice the power. Hope you're ready."
Hinata stood her ground. She was planning what she was going to do to try to get a clean his off him without getting slashed. Kuwabara didn't let her think long about it as he came in, attacking her with both swords simultaneously. She tried her best to dodge, but it proved that it wouldn't get her far. Thinking fast, she waited for him to come with a single slash. then dashed in with a fierce punch to the face, stunning him for her next attack.
"Hisshou!!' she called as she unleashed her multi-hit attack which was the Hisshou Rengakiken. After 13 hits and a flaming Shouoken later, Kuwabara met canvas. face first.
"That's it, Hinata!" Sakura K. encouraged her friend. "Keep it up and you got him!"
"How come I'm not surprised that he's losing.?" Hiei mumbled his question that went unanswered.
"Hey, dimwit!" Yusuke yelled. "Stop playing around!"
"Shut up... Urameshi," Kuwabara muttered under his breath as he got up by the count of 6. He still had his swords ready, making Hinata turn cautious. Too bad it didn't last.
"Okay, then." she said loud enough for him to hear. "How about we end this? It's starting to get boring."
Then, Hinata did something that really riled up Kuwabara: she closed her eyes, put a hand up to her mouth. and yawned. VERY loudly.
{What?!? Did she just say that I was boring? Oh, that's it! I didn't mean to do this but you drove me to!}
Kuwabara focused his double swords. and they extended until they reached Hinata. She didn't realize it until she opened her eyes. and gasped as they rapped around her gripping her tightly.
"Bad time to taunt, Hinata!" Darrell shouted out loud as he witnessed Hinata screaming from the pain of Kuwabara's swords.
"Heh. Looks like the idiot actually did something noteworthy." Hiei's witty remark came by.
"Yeah. after Hinata stood still for him," Yusuke added.
"Shut up over there!!" Kuwabara yelled after overhearing his teammates' comments. "I don't want to do this but she severely ticked me off. At least cut me some slack!"
A pause came by before Kuwabara heard a response. Unfortunately for him. it was a giggle. from Hinata.
"What?!?" he yelled as he refocused his attention to Hinata. who was actually smiling considering the painful condition she was in. He looked down, sensing an energy build-up. and saw that Hinata's right sneaker was flaming.
"Sorry, Kuwabara," she apologized, "but if you were planning to drain my energy, then it won't work. I have a surprise for you."
And with that, Hinata started to spin around like a top. Her teammates immediately knew what she was going for: the Fire Senpukyaku.
"Go get him, Hinata!" Sakura S. rooted in support as Hinata brought her leg out to initiate her attack. This time, Kuwabara was getting sucked in because he was still holding onto his swords. which were contacting because of her move.
"Let go of your swords, stupid!" Yusuke yelled out, but even though Kuwabara followed his orders, Hinata's move caused a vacuum that kept drawing him in. In all sense of stupidity, Kuwabara tried to run from it.
"That isn't wise." Kurama spoke up for the first time and his analysis was correct. Hinata drew Kuwabara in and burned him severely with 5 kicks, the last one throwing him to the other side of the ring. His swords immediately released their hold on Hinata and let her regain her breath just as the announcer, who kept quiet throughout the whole match, started his count.
"Alright!!" her team yelled out. Hinata relaxed on the ropes as she looked at her opponent, who had swirls in his eyes in a comical way.
"That's it, folks!" the announcer called out. "Kuwabara's out cold, so the first round goes to Hinata and her C-8 team!"
He then turned her attention to Hinata and asked, "Now. will you switch with a teammate or will you keep on."
"Uh. whose fighting next?" she answered his question with her own. "Once I know who. then I'll decide."
"Okay. sounds fair enough."
Fortunately, the announcer didn't need to ask the question. The next fighter, in the form of Yusuke Urameshi, stepped in after he rolled Kuwabara out. He then looked at her with a smile and asked her, "I'm next. Now, what's your choice?"
This time, Hinata didn't answer. Darrell stepped into the ring and went over to her. He whispered something to her. and then backed away, letting Hinata speak.
"I'll switch," she said. "My partner wants to take on Yusuke and I want to recuperate a bit."
"Alright, everyone!!' the announcer shouted over his mic. "You heard the woman. Round 2 will have Yusuke Urameshi vs. Darrell Markis! This is going to be an exciting barnburner right here!"
As Hinata exited the ring, Darrell and Yusuke stared hard into the other's eyes. Yusuke saw flames and determination in Darrell's eyes as Darrell sensed his energy through what he saw.
"I've seen some of your matches. You're strong." Darrell complemented. "Looks like I won't be bored with this one."
"Same here, pal," Yusuke shot back. "Let's skip the boring introductions and get straight to the heat of the matter."
"No problem."
Instantly, both fighters' auras erupted off their bodies, shooting up high into the air. Everyone in the stadium watched in awe at their power just as the announcer started the match.
"Round 2 starts now! Fighters, ready? FIGHT!!"
End of Chapter 29
"So. I think I got it. Purple karate gi, hair that stands on end like fire. dark skin like your sister's. blood red eyes. red Satsu aura. Shouldn't take long to identify."
"Yusuke." Boton started but Kuwabara cut her off.
"Sounds like just another freak if you ask me. What's so special about him?"
"You really are a moron, aren't you?" Darrell muttered. "I've fought him myself. There's no way you'll be able to beat him, Kuwabara. Not at your current strength, anyway."
"What you say??" Kuwabara shot back, rising out of his seat. "How about we go one-on-one right now?!"
"Chill out, Kuwabara." Darrell said calmly. "Save it for our match tomorrow."
"Yeah. listen to the human over there. He knows what he's talking about."
"Don't encourage him, Hiei." Yusuke mumbled under his breath. Both teams were in Yusuke's hotel room discussing the Akuma predicament that was 5 days away. They were talking for a good 15 minutes. and already they seemed to be on the same page.
"But there is still something wrong here." Boton started. "If this Akuma person is really a demon. then why don't the people at Spirit World have any recollection of his existence?"
"Shouldn't YOU know that?" Yusuke shot back. Boton sweatdropped as she jumped in her seat, surprised.
"Well, uh, I'm not in charge of that." she mumbled.
"Anyway. I think that should do it," Sakura S. said. "Although we need to be at our best when we fight him and the other two guys coming, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't go easy on one another tomorrow--"
"WHAT A MINUTE!!" Yusuke bolted. "You mean to tell me that there is more than this guy??"
Hinata nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"So why didn't you tell us about them before?!"
"We don't know anything about these two," she responded. "We don't even know their names."
"So how do you know about them?" Yusuke asked.
"The question should be. if we are ready to take the challenge."
"Kurama. of course I'm going through with this," Yusuke answered. "There's just the fact that we're not dealing with just one fighter here."
"So what?" Hiei mumbled. "We've defeated the Toguro team. They had 4 fighters and we're dealing with 3 here. The odds are three against 10, including this Ryu and Wangtang character. and the idiot over there."
"Hey!" Kuwabara yelled, but Hiei kept going.
"It seems simple enough. We go, we fight, and we win."
"If only it was that simple." Darrell added.
"Trust me. It will be an easy task with me with you."
Darrell and Hiei stared at one another for a long while. then Darrell sighed.
"I'm not going to argue about it. I guess I'll see what you guys can do when we fight tomorrow."
"Sure. It's your funeral," Hiei mumbled.
----- -----
"Hello everyone to another day of hardcore matches in the Turn of the Century tournament! Today has a bit of a twist to it, though. Starting with this match right here, team C-8 vs. C-28, the way the matches go will be like this. At the end of a round, the winner will get a chance to either continue to the next round or switch with a teammate that hasn't been defeated. Today, things will begin slowly with one match then we'll go on to the multitude of fights that you've become accustomed to. Now then, will the first two fighters from C-8 and 28 please step in?"
On the side of the ring where the announcer was at, Hinata stood up.
"Okay, guys. I'll go first. I'm accustomed to switching between rounds. Let's see how our new partners are, huh?"
"Just be careful," Sakura K. advised. "Remember that these guys are good."
Hinata nodded as she stepped in. At the same time on the other side of the ring, Kuwabara was in his own train of thought.
{Since I've looked back on their matches, it's a good chance that Darrell's going first. In that's the case. I'll go in and beat him myself. He thinks he's so great. I'll show him!}
Without anyone knowing it, Kuwabara rushed into the ring.
"So I guess the fool's going first," Hiei noticed.
"I guess it will save us the time of choosing who will go first," Yusuke added. Kurama kept quiet as the two fighters in the ring met. It was clear that Kuwabara was surprised to see Hinata instead of Darrell.
"WAIT A MINUTE!!!" Kuwabara yelled, catching everyone's attention. He ran towards the side of the ring where Hinata's teammates were sitting and pointed to Darrell.
"What's the matter? Aren't you going to fight me?"
"Huh?" Darrell let out, surprised. He waited a few seconds before answering. "Well, to be honest. I'm waiting to take on Yusuke Urameshi. What's wrong with fighting Hinata?"
"You want to know?? It goes against my honor code," Kuwabara answered. "I don't fight girls, even if they are fighters."
Darrell stared at him for a long while. then simply pointed behind him. Kuwabara turned around. and was decked by Hinata's fist, sending him reeling.
"You JERK!!!" Hinata screamed, her tone louder than ever before. "You're in a tournament for crying out loud! You'll be facing a lot of fighters from all sorts of backgrounds, male or female. Our whole team is made up of 3 girls and one boy. How in the hell are you going to follow your code in this match??"
"Hinata." Sakura S and K said simultaneously. Hinata had to be pretty upset about Kuwabara's code. if she actually cursed in the open like that.
"Okay. I'll ditch the code this time." Kuwabara mumbled. "I'm not going to like this though."
"Wow. Kuwabara actually isn't following his code," Yusuke gasped. "This ought to be interesting."
"Okay, then. Round 1 has Hinata Wakaba vs. Kazuma Kuwabara. Ready? Fight!"
"Okay, Hinata," Kuwabara started, "Even though I don't have any choice in this, I'll try to give it all I got."
"Don't try. Just do it."
Hinata instantly went into her stance ready to fight but Kuwabara stood still.
"I'll let you get the first hit." he said. and Hinata followed his instructions. Hinata gave Kuwabara a few random attacks that he evaded. She then threw her Rengakiken. Kuwabara took the full 8 hits of her special move, being knocked down by her energy sphere. Kuwabara stood up quickly and retaliated with his own hard punch. It was fast, but it only gazed Hinata's cheek. The force, however, was enough to make her stumble backwards.
Kuwabara let her recover. and Hinata wasn't exactly pleased about it.
"Why aren't you fighting seriously?" she asked while putting her hands on her hips. Kuwabara sighed.
"Are you sure about this? If I do go all out. then I could injure you pretty badly. I just can't--"
"Listen. don't take it personally," she cut him off. "Just pretend that I'm not a girl. If that's the only way I'm going to get a good fight out of you. then do that."
"Fine."
Kuwabara closed his eyes for a while, focusing himself. When he opened his eyes again, he held his hands together, charging his energy. They began to glow with orange energy similar to Darrell's. only without the flames.
"SPIRIT SWORD!!!" He yelled out as his energy went out into a large energy rod. He placed it to his side, ready to fight. On the sidelines, Darrell was livid. slightly.
"I don't believe it! He has a sword move just like mine!" he yelled out. Darrell's response caught Kuwabara's ears and caused him to smile a cocky one.
"Yeah. well I've been using this baby for a long while," Kuwabara bragged, "and unlike your sword, I can hold mine as long as I want! Take that, Darrell!"
Darrell rolled his eyes. as well as Yusuke on the other side.
"Great. Now he has a reason to brag," both said simultaneously.
"Alright!" Hinata chimed as she went back into her stance. "That's more like it. Now, no more holding back!"
This time, both fighters charged in. Hinata tried out a punch to the head, but Kuwabara evaded and tried to slash her on her side. He almost connected if Hinata didn't roll forward to get away. Hinata got back up as Kuwabara tried to regain his momentum and went into her flaming Enbukyaku. Kuwabara narrowly blocked it with his sword. but when Hinata's sneaker made contact, Kuwabara's energy caused a sudden shock to cover her body. She immediately stopped her move and fell on her back.
"That's new." Sakura K. mentioned.
"Heh. nice trick, huh?" Kuwabara asked. "As soon as you touch my sword, you'll be in for a shock. I should have warned you."
Hinata shook her head and got up, ready to fight again. This time, Kuwabara took to the offensive by himself. Hinata's first instinct was to block, but she quickly remembered what Kuwabara said. As Kuwabara came down with a strike from above, Hinata dodged it by moving left and countered with her Shouyouken. Kuwabara was sent flying to the other side of the ring and landed on his back. Hinata watched him get up, wiping him mouth with the back of his open hand.
"Great shot. but now let's pull out the stops."
Sakura S. immediately noticed an increase in Kuwabara's energy as he charged up. An orange aura shot out of his body as another Spirit Sword came into his free hand. Not only that, but this one, along with the previous sword became slightly longer and thicker in length.
"How's this, Hinata?" Kuwabara asked. "It's my Double Spirit Sword. Twice the threat, twice the power. Hope you're ready."
Hinata stood her ground. She was planning what she was going to do to try to get a clean his off him without getting slashed. Kuwabara didn't let her think long about it as he came in, attacking her with both swords simultaneously. She tried her best to dodge, but it proved that it wouldn't get her far. Thinking fast, she waited for him to come with a single slash. then dashed in with a fierce punch to the face, stunning him for her next attack.
"Hisshou!!' she called as she unleashed her multi-hit attack which was the Hisshou Rengakiken. After 13 hits and a flaming Shouoken later, Kuwabara met canvas. face first.
"That's it, Hinata!" Sakura K. encouraged her friend. "Keep it up and you got him!"
"How come I'm not surprised that he's losing.?" Hiei mumbled his question that went unanswered.
"Hey, dimwit!" Yusuke yelled. "Stop playing around!"
"Shut up... Urameshi," Kuwabara muttered under his breath as he got up by the count of 6. He still had his swords ready, making Hinata turn cautious. Too bad it didn't last.
"Okay, then." she said loud enough for him to hear. "How about we end this? It's starting to get boring."
Then, Hinata did something that really riled up Kuwabara: she closed her eyes, put a hand up to her mouth. and yawned. VERY loudly.
{What?!? Did she just say that I was boring? Oh, that's it! I didn't mean to do this but you drove me to!}
Kuwabara focused his double swords. and they extended until they reached Hinata. She didn't realize it until she opened her eyes. and gasped as they rapped around her gripping her tightly.
"Bad time to taunt, Hinata!" Darrell shouted out loud as he witnessed Hinata screaming from the pain of Kuwabara's swords.
"Heh. Looks like the idiot actually did something noteworthy." Hiei's witty remark came by.
"Yeah. after Hinata stood still for him," Yusuke added.
"Shut up over there!!" Kuwabara yelled after overhearing his teammates' comments. "I don't want to do this but she severely ticked me off. At least cut me some slack!"
A pause came by before Kuwabara heard a response. Unfortunately for him. it was a giggle. from Hinata.
"What?!?" he yelled as he refocused his attention to Hinata. who was actually smiling considering the painful condition she was in. He looked down, sensing an energy build-up. and saw that Hinata's right sneaker was flaming.
"Sorry, Kuwabara," she apologized, "but if you were planning to drain my energy, then it won't work. I have a surprise for you."
And with that, Hinata started to spin around like a top. Her teammates immediately knew what she was going for: the Fire Senpukyaku.
"Go get him, Hinata!" Sakura S. rooted in support as Hinata brought her leg out to initiate her attack. This time, Kuwabara was getting sucked in because he was still holding onto his swords. which were contacting because of her move.
"Let go of your swords, stupid!" Yusuke yelled out, but even though Kuwabara followed his orders, Hinata's move caused a vacuum that kept drawing him in. In all sense of stupidity, Kuwabara tried to run from it.
"That isn't wise." Kurama spoke up for the first time and his analysis was correct. Hinata drew Kuwabara in and burned him severely with 5 kicks, the last one throwing him to the other side of the ring. His swords immediately released their hold on Hinata and let her regain her breath just as the announcer, who kept quiet throughout the whole match, started his count.
"Alright!!" her team yelled out. Hinata relaxed on the ropes as she looked at her opponent, who had swirls in his eyes in a comical way.
"That's it, folks!" the announcer called out. "Kuwabara's out cold, so the first round goes to Hinata and her C-8 team!"
He then turned her attention to Hinata and asked, "Now. will you switch with a teammate or will you keep on."
"Uh. whose fighting next?" she answered his question with her own. "Once I know who. then I'll decide."
"Okay. sounds fair enough."
Fortunately, the announcer didn't need to ask the question. The next fighter, in the form of Yusuke Urameshi, stepped in after he rolled Kuwabara out. He then looked at her with a smile and asked her, "I'm next. Now, what's your choice?"
This time, Hinata didn't answer. Darrell stepped into the ring and went over to her. He whispered something to her. and then backed away, letting Hinata speak.
"I'll switch," she said. "My partner wants to take on Yusuke and I want to recuperate a bit."
"Alright, everyone!!' the announcer shouted over his mic. "You heard the woman. Round 2 will have Yusuke Urameshi vs. Darrell Markis! This is going to be an exciting barnburner right here!"
As Hinata exited the ring, Darrell and Yusuke stared hard into the other's eyes. Yusuke saw flames and determination in Darrell's eyes as Darrell sensed his energy through what he saw.
"I've seen some of your matches. You're strong." Darrell complemented. "Looks like I won't be bored with this one."
"Same here, pal," Yusuke shot back. "Let's skip the boring introductions and get straight to the heat of the matter."
"No problem."
Instantly, both fighters' auras erupted off their bodies, shooting up high into the air. Everyone in the stadium watched in awe at their power just as the announcer started the match.
"Round 2 starts now! Fighters, ready? FIGHT!!"
End of Chapter 29