"Kurama!" Yusuke yelled out to his teammate.

Kurama wasn't responding. His eyes were shut and he stood in the ring, bleeding from multiple cuts. Sprouting from the scratches on his arms was the Deadly Vetch plant.

"Well, that took long enough!"

"One down! Five to go!"

"Kurama!" Yusuke continued to call out to the red-head. "Oh no, is he…?!"

"Don't talk like that, Yusuke!" Sayomi cut him off before he could finish. She clenched her fists tightly at her side, taking deep breaths. Kurama can't be dead…

Koto stepped close to Kurama and noticed his soft breaths. She blinked, shocked that he was still alive. "Kurama's still breathing! But he's otherwise completely out of it! He's one tough cookie!"

"What's that?!" Yusuke cheered, relieved to hear the good news.

Sayomi heaved a sigh in relief. "That was close. Now I have two teammates who are on the verge of dying. At least I took care of Kuwabara's most fatal injuries."

"He still looks pitiful to me." Hiei looked over at the unconscious teen, sitting against the wall.

"The worst of it was internal. That's usually harder to take care of because I can't really see what I'm doing. It takes more effort to feel your way through everything." Sayomi frowned at Kuwabara's bruised body. "Poor guy will still be hurting, but at least he won't die."

"That's it! Kurama's done!" Yusuke jerked his thumb at himself and said, "I'm comin' in!"

"Whoa…" The tallest member from the Shadow Channelers had stepped into the ring. He had dark skin that was covered in scars. He loomed over Kurama, smirking down at the incapacitated fighter. "…You stay put."

Yusuke gritted his teeth angrily. Sayomi glared at the new opponent.

"This one's still standing, and in bounds, so he fights me!" The large fighter smirked sadistically as he glared at Yusuke.

"Fights you?!" Yusuke clenched his fist. "He can't even see you!"

Sayomi growled low in her throat. He's just begging for a beating!

Koto watched the exchange, stunned by the turn of events. "I…" She pointed to Yusuke and spoke into her mic. "I call for a handoff!"

"What? Sez you!"

"No handoff!"

"No handoff! Kurama dies!"

"No handoff!"

"No handoff!"

"No handoff!"

The speakers scratched as the Committee made the official announcement. "We have a ruling from the Tournament HQ! There will be no handoff! Repeat – No handoff! Match number three – Kurama vs. Bakuken! Begin!'

"Grr…!" Yusuke growled angrily.

Hiei started to make his way out of the tent, his right hand in his pocket.

"Don't even think it," Luka warned. She smiled down at him. "Touch my force field, and you'll regret it."

"If you harm them, it's your neck on the line." Sayomi muttered coldly. She reached for her sickle and let the chain spill free. She began to slowly twirl the sickle in a hypnotizing figure-eight. "I would sleep just fine knowing I was the one to take your life."

Luka flinched at Sayomi's words and turned away, trying to ignore the dark aura the girl was emitting.

"Hear that?" Bakuken lifted Koto by the collar of her shirt. "You've been overruled." He tossed her out of the ring and out of his way.

"Crush!"

"Mince!"

"Pound!"

"Heh heh…" Bakuken laughed as he stalked towards the defenseless Kurama. He landed a strong right uppercut, knocking Kurama down.

Yusuke clenched his teeth, his eyes widening as he was forced to watch the abuse.

"Heh heh…" Bakuken licked his upper lip and said, "Makes a great punching bag. Hooph!" He followed through with a solid kick to the red-head's stomach, sending him sliding across the ring.

"Kurama is down! Kurama is down!" Koto announced frantically from outside the ring. "I'm starting the count! 1! 2!"

Bakuken glared down at Koto, annoyed with her interference. "I'd hold off on that, Ref. Your call's a mite premature." He casually made his way to Kurama, his arms crossed.

"7! 8!"

Bakuken reached for Kurama.

"9 –" Koto hesitated when she saw Bakuken.

"Hey!" Yusuke protested.

Bakuken lifted Kurama by the shirt and said, "See? He's right back up again. Can't keep this boy down… Heh. You… rascal…

"I just love a scrappy opponent!" Bakuken yelled as he threw a punch.

"Stop it, Bakuken!"

Bakuken froze mid-punch. He slid his eyes to stare at the last cloaked teammate. He had a diamond on the hood. "Risho! I was about to – "

"Take a sickle and a Reigun bolt, you idiot. Look behind you."

Bakuken turned around to see Sayomi glaring straight at him, spinning the sickle. Then he saw Yusuke, his finger already aimed and charging for a shot.

"They will kill you." Risho warned. "At this point they don't care about the rules, which you are willfully flouting anyway. And they care even less what the audience will think. So let it be. We're here to win, not indulge our bloodlust."

Bakuken glared down at Risho, annoyed with having to stop his fun. "You, Toya, Gama, and Jin are soooo civilized. You don't see that winning means utterly demolishing your opponent!" He turned and tossed Kurama out of the ring towards Yusuke. "But I would like a real fight! Come on up, you!"

Yusuke caught Kurama, though he tried to be mindful of the red-head's injuries. He looked down at his friend and said, "Kurama…"

Kurama was still unconscious. His face was covered in bruises and he was bleeding from his mouth and temple. His breathing was light and shallow.

Sayomi ran back to Yusuke and took Kurama from his arms. "I'll take care of him, Yusuke." She positioned Kurama to sit-up against the ring and proceeded to start working on his wounds. This is bad. He's not dead, but he might be soon if I don't patch him up quickly.

Yusuke sent a murderous glare at Bakuken as he made his way into the ring.

"…10!" Koto finished her count in relief. "Kurama's out-of-bounds! Bakuken wins! And now – the fourth match!"

"Heh… That was a close one…" Hiei chuckled and smirked deviously at Luka. "… For your side…"

Luka swallowed. She knew he wasn't bluffing.

In the ring, Yusuke glared at Bakuken while the ninja smirked.

"Urameshi vs. Bakuken! Begin!" Koto announced.

"Nurraaarr!" Bakuken yelled as he got into a horse stance. The strain of his muscles and the shout was enough to make the warrior sweat. Soon, a white mist began to emit from his body, covering the whole ring. "Heh heh heh…"

Yusuke only glared as he waited for Bakuken to make a move.

"Bakuken has created a covering fog from his sweat!" Koto commentated. "Phew! Urameshi won't be able to get a bead on him!"

"That coward…" Sayomi muttered to herself. She healed the cuts on Kurama's legs and proceeded to his torso.

Yusuke stood still in the center of the ring. It didn't take long for Bakuken to take the chance and deliver a punch from Yusuke's left side. Yusuke didn't bother blocking and he was sent skidding across the ring. His cheek turned red from the impact, but Yusuke just wiped his hand across the blood that spilled from his mouth.

"heh heh… No clue, eh?" Bakuken taunted Yusuke from the fog. "You're just another punching bag, buddy."

"Heh… heh heh…" Yusuke smirked and began laughing to himself.

"Huh? What's he laughing about?" Bakuken hesitated, thrown off by the unexpected reaction.

"Now I know…" Yusuke sobered from his laugh, and glared into the fog. "… You didn't kill Kurama! Not with these wussy punches!"

"Raarr!" Bakuken growled, enraged by the detective's insult.

"And you're a piker compared to Jin, ain'tcha!" Yusuke continued to downplay his opponent.

"Wh-what?!" Bakuken yelled.

Yusuke kept his tone even as he continued to take jabs at Bakuken's weaknesses. "His wind could blow this stinky fog away in an instant! Take away your one trick, and you lose every advantage!"

"Grarr! Shut yer mouth!" Bakuken roared, furious with Yusuke's words. "You talk mighty big for someone who can only pass wind! I'll crush your puny skull!" Bakuken got behind Yusuke, pulling back his arm to punch Yusuke.

At the last moment, Yusuke shot his Reigun directly down at the ring floor. The blast was enough to create a small crater, sending debris scattering throughout the stadium. The fog cleared away along with the rubble, exposing Bakuken.

"Umph!" Bakuken held up his arms to shield his face from the blast and the rocks. When he lowered his arms, he was stumped. "Huh?! That blast blew away my fog! And… Where'd he go?!"

"Here's a prediction…" Yusuke spoke up behind Bakuken, spinning his arm in large circles. Then he glared and pulled back his arm. "…I'll wrap this up in a two-page spread!" The punch blew through Bakuken's ribs, breaking a couple on impact.

"Gah!" Bakuken skidded back, clutching at his ribs in pain. He was struggling to breathe and he broke out in a heavy sweat. He stared at Yusuke, terrified of the detective. "Wheeze! Wheeze! Hack… M-my ribs…!"

"Heh…" Yusuke stared at Bakuken without pity or remorse. "Better cook up some fog, pal."

"Hold on!" Bakuken held out a hand to stop Yusuke. His voice shrilled as he begged for mercy. "You busted my ribs! I can't fight with busted ribs!"

"Really?" Yusuke asked coldly. "You're still standing, ain'tcha?"

Bakuken began to panic as his own words were used against him. He scratched the back of his head, hoping to get out of his situation. "Well… Heh… Look, I was just… I mean, it was…"

Yusuke sighed and smirked with his eyes closed. Then he glared at Bakuken and charged another punch. "Your own idea of an able fighter! And it sounds good to me!"

Yusuke delivered four consecutive punches along Bakuken's left thigh, hip, side chest, and just under his jaw. The force was strong enough to send Bakuken crashing through the stadium wall next to Jin. Jin smirked, his ears sticking out in points.

"Bakuken's out of bounds! Starting the count!" Koto announced immediately.

Yusuke turned to walk back to his side of the ring as Koto counted.

"4! 5!"

Yusuke ignored her. He had to make sure that his friend was okay.

"10! Urameshi wins!" Koto announced. She stopped short when she noticed his retreating figure. "Eh?"

"Kurama…" Yusuke kept his voice calm as he made his way down the three steps.

Sayomi looked up at Yusuke briefly before moving to patch up Kurama's bruised face. The sensation was enough to rouse Kurama from his sleep. Sayomi smiled and dropped her hands so she could take a break. She had broken into a light sweat from healing so many wounds. "Sorry I couldn't heal your arms… I'm not sure how deep the roots are in your system."

"Thank you, Sayomi…" Kurama smiled at her before looking down to see the vines still in his arms. "I'd… hoped to beat three of them myself…"

"You okay, though?" Yusuke asked.

"As far as the beatings, yeah. Sayomi took care of most of that area. My Deadly Vetch is the real problem." Kurama raised one of his hands to the plant as he began to manipulate it. "It's from the Demon Plane, so getting it out of my system will take time." Kurama smiled up at Yusuke and said, "I… Heh… Must reap what I've sown."

Yusuke grinned and gave Kurama a thumb's-up. "Then you take it easy. I'll deal with these last two."

"All right, but be careful," Kurama warned. "The first three were of varying quality, but the last two are top-level."

Yusuke turned to glare at the remaining two fighters. "Doesn't change the fact that I aim to win!"

"Just don't take any unnecessary risks, Yusuke." Sayomi watched the cloaked fighter closely. "I only have so much energy left to heal. I'm almost tapped out, myself."

"Right. You just take care of Kurama and Kuwabara." Yusuke made his way back into the ring.

"And now for the fifth match!" Koto announced eagerly.

In the tent, Hiei clenched his right fist, feeling the pain recede as he remained in the force field. Luka notice his aura was coming back as well and the thought alone made her sweat nervously.

Sayomi looked over at Hiei and the Masked Fighter. Looks like Hiei's getting some feeling in his hand again. I guess Red's an actual healer after all. Too bad she didn't think her little plan through. She's nothing compared to Hiei at full health.

"Jin's finally stepping up!"

"Urameshi's goose is cooked now!"

Sayomi snapped out of her thoughts when the crowd erupted into loud screams and cheers. She looked back at the ring and noticed Jin. Hmmm… I thought he was sitting the match out. I suppose now that his team is down to two members, the odds are even enough for him. Watch your back, Yusuke.

"Grind!"

"Crush!"

"Smash!"

"Aw, pipe down, ya dorks." Jin looked up at the stands, annoyed with their screams.

Yusuke glared at the red-head, ready to beat down another opponent. He couldn't let his guard down or else he might be manipulated again.

"Hey hey… lookit my ears." Jin smiled and pointed to his ears. They stuck out and tapered at the ends. Yusuke let his glare slip, confused by Jin's odd behavior. Jin wiggled his ears and said, "They've really pricked up!"

Jin began to laugh and flex as he smiled broadly. "They do that when I get excited! An' they haven't been this perky in ages!" Jin leaned in close to Yusuke and cupped his hand to keep anyone from reading his lips. He lowered his volume and said, "By the way, that was cool what you did to Baku. He really was a big, dumb jerk. Served him right. Don't tell Risho, tho'."

Yusuke blinked, dumbfounded and at a loss for what to do. "Geez…" Yusuke smiled and scratched his cheek, embarrassed and confused. "You're a strange guy, even for a demon. I was all hepped up and angry, ready to take it out on my next opponent, but now…"

Jin smiled and said, "I'm a new foe, and it's a new match. Going in mad just takes the fun outta it. And that's no way to live – " Without warning, Jin summoned a large gust of wind that rustled everyone's hair and clothes. He began to levitate just inches off the ground. "Or die!"

"Amazing!" Koto exclaimed, trying to keep her hair out of her view as the wind blew it in the way. "Jin's floating on a cushion of air!"

Yusuke watched Jin, trying to absorb what was happening around him. "Hmm… Maybe… it's time I did have some fun." Yusuke broke into a grin. He clenched and pumped his fists, ready to fight. "Okay, Jin, we'll see who's best! Ready when you are!"

"Begin!" Koto started the match with a wave of her hand.

Yusuke wasted no time. He dashed forward and threw a quick right jab. "Hut!"

Yusuke almost fell forward as his fist hit nothing but air. Yusuke growled and looked up to see Jin soaring straight up into the sky.

"Wow!" Koto gasped excitedly. "Jin just – shot into the air… and he's staying there!"

Sayomi growled in her throat at the wind user. She had made her way back to Kuwabara, making sure he didn't get hurt by flying debris. "Now how is Yusuke supposed to hit him if he can do things like that?"

"Come down, you!" Yusuke yelled up at Jin.

A moment later, Jin came diving head-first towards the stadium.

"That's better!" Yusuke growled. He crouched, preparing to attack as soon as he had a clean shot.

"Jin's heeled over and gone into a dive!" Koto narrated.

Yusuke gasped in shock. Just as Jin was about to hit the ring floor, he maneuvered himself forward and around Yusuke. Yusuke tried to track Jin's flight pattern, but just as he turned, Jin knocked him down with a strong punch to the face.

"Yow!" Yusuke was knocked off balance and sent tumbling backwards across the ring. He got up and chuckled, being mindful of his swelling cheek and bleeding mouth. "Ow… Now that's a punch! This is gonna be great!"

Jin smiled at Yusuke, wiggling his ears as he floated above the stadium floor. Strong winds rushed around the ring, all under Jin's control. Yusuke smirked back and licked the blood from his lips.

"Jin the Wind Specialist employed his powers of flight for a great opening move!" Koto yelled into her mic. "But even put off balance, Urameshi looks ready, willing, and able to strike back!"

"Gutsy, trying to take me from there!" Jin complimented Yusuke and tugged at his wiggling ear. "Gotta watch it around you!"

"That was a pretty solid punch, man." Yusuke grinned and imitated the attack lightly on his cheek. "Nicely delivered, too."

"Don't award me any high marks, yet." Jin said with a cheerful smile. He began twirling his right wrist in circles. Then, he expanded to spinning his whole arm around, gaining speed.

Yusuke watched in confusion and curiosity until he realized what the Wind Master was doing. Then he gulped and swallowed. Jin was in a crouch, his arm spinning so fast Yusuke could barely see it through the wind that was building up.

"Jin's whipping up a miniature cyclone!" Koto deduced.

Once the cyclone was formed, Jin stopped spinning his arm. The wind whipping around his fist was so strong, it created a ripple effect with the surrounding air. "Terror Tornado! And off we go!"

Jin dashed forward, bring up his tornado to punch Yusuke. Yusuke waited until the last moment to dodge out of the way. While he missed a direct attack, the tornado grazed Yusuke just enough to send him flying out of the ring.

"Gwaah?!" Yusuke screamed in confusion.

Sayomi gasped at the effectiveness of the attack. "He barely whiffed him and he still managed to get Yusuke?!"

Yusuke was about to crash head-first into the stadium wall. "Hmmph!" At the last second, Yusuke flipped in mid-air, clinging to the wall with one hand while his feet absorbed the impact.

"Nice acrobatic turn by Urameshi!" Koto complimented. "He's back on his feet! However…"

Yusuke flinched when he noticed Jin flying straight towards him, the tornado still spinning around his fist. Jin held out his tornado fist, using the wind to accelerate.

"… Jin's right on him!" Koto finished.

Yusuke gasped and quickly jumped out of the way. Jin hit the wall, smashing it to rubble and sending the unlucky fans flying in the air. Jin smirked as he watched Yusuke escape, his tornado used up from the attack.

"Yeesh!" Yusuke grimaced at the destruction left behind. "That wall coulda been me!"

"Yeah, that felt good!" Jin's ears twitched, expressing his excitement for the good fight.

"Urameshi's reflexes save him again!" Koto commentated.

"You're doing very well." Jin praised Yusuke's skills as he met the teen back in the ring. He smirked and lifted his arm, beginning to spin it again.

"Whoa there, pod'nah!" Yusuke dashed forward and delivered a volley of punches at Jin while his feet were grounded.

"I—I can't tell what's going on!" Koto's eyes widened, trying desperately to follow the rapid punches. "A supersonic exchange of blows – maybe!"

"Damn, they're fast…" Sayomi muttered to herself. It's all I can do to just follow their movements. Not to mention Jin could fly away at any second.

Which one's got the edge… Sayomi turned to Hiei. He was watching the fight, back on his feet, with his arms crossed. Without looking at her, he projected the question into her head. Yusuke's speed, or Jin's wind?

Sayomi turned back to the fight, biting her lip. I guess we'll find out soon.

"Eh! Ah! Oh!" Jin blocked every one of Yusuke's punches, backpedaling as the teen pressed forward. One punch was fast enough to slip through the red-head's defense and punch through his stomach.

"Guck… Huck…" Jin's eyes widened as his breath was knocked out of him. He instantly hunched over, clutching at his stomach in pain.

"Gotcha!" Yusuke threw a right cross and nearly fell over forward. Jin shot straight up into the air again, protecting his stomach as he tried to regain his breath.

"Rats! Another airlift!" Yusuke growled, annoyed with the same old trick.

"Jin's out of reach once again!" Koto announced, surprised with the demon's quick thinking. "According to the rules, rising straight up into the air does not count as going out-of-bounds! Jin could stay up there forever and remain in contention!"

"And there's the classic ruling against us!" Sayomi glared up at the speck in the sky that was Jin. "Don't these people have better things to do with themselves?"

Sayomi's attention was drawn back to the ring when she noticed Yusuke was charging his Reigun. He shot the bullet at Jin as he retreated into the sky.

"Yusuke's addressing that issue with a Reigun Blast!" Koto watched in awe. "How will Jin counter this?!"

That's a perfect shot! Sayomi grinned hopefully.

"Blast Screen!" Jin turned and manipulated the wind current to redirect the blast and send it flying away harmlessly.

Yusuke and Sayomi gaped in shock by Jin's tactic. Yusuke could only watch his energy fly off into space while Jin remained unharmed.

"H-he diverted Urameshi's shot with a single gust of wind!" Koto couldn't believe her eyes. "That's the most awesome display yet of his mastery of the air!"

Jin stood in the sky and crossed his arms with a pleasant smile. "It also makes good protective 'armor.' Your Reigun is useless against it." He unfolded his arms and began to spin his right arm, forming another cyclone. "Ready to admit defeat?"

"Not by a long shot!" Yusuke growled, grinding his teeth.

"Hee hee… Jin's got the human on the ropes!"

"Urameshi's about to bite it, big time!"

Sayomi growled up at Jin but directed her thoughts to Hiei. Is there any way he can win this?!

There is a way to counter Jin… Quite risky… Hiei replied. He was leaning forward slightly, engaged in the match just as she was. …So Yusuke's probably already thought of it. The worse the odds, the better he thinks.

What do you mean risky? What's he planning?! Sayomi's eyes widened as she watched Jin dive back down towards Yusuke, his tornado ready.

"Then yer goin' down!" Jin propelled himself forward, gaining speed as he descended. He extended his cyclone fist to punch Yusuke. Yusuke just stood still, not trying to avoid the hit at all.

"Urameshi's standing his ground!" Koto observed in surprise. "Or… Has he given up?!"

What's he doing?! Sayomi clenched her fists, practically screaming for Yusuke to move.

Just as Jin was on top of him, Yusuke raised his right hand and charged it for another blast.

"Hey! You – " Jin gasped, unable to move or stop his descent.

Yep! Hiei smirked. Making a high-risk move – firing right into Jin's punch!

"This oughta settle it!" Yusuke smirked, lining up his finger with the center of Jin's fist.

"Yusuke, you idiot!" Sayomi yelled just as there was a bright flash followed by a loud explosion.

"Mroow!" Koto was thrown across the grass from the shockwave.

The debris bounced off Luka's force field, keeping Hiei, the Masked Fighter, and the enchantress safe from harm. Kurama was seated against the ring's edge, so he ducked down, letting the force blow over his head. Sayomi used the chain of her Kusarigama to form a barrier for her and Kuwabara.

"Whoo!" Koto recovered from the blast and rubbed the bump on her head. She did a double-take when she realized the ring was empty. "What they hey?! They're gone! Both of them… blown away in the clash of power!"

"Unnn…"

Sayomi looked towards the tent to see Yusuke laying on his back near the wall. She put away her weapon and ran towards the boy. Damn! At least he's not dead.

"Snap!" Yusuke sat up and glared at the ring. "I blew it!"

"Urameshi's out of bounds! As for Jin, where…?!" Koto up over her shoulder and gasped. "He's gone airborne again!"

Jin was floating in the air, one of the torn white cloths hanging from his waist. He was watching Yusuke warily, trying to recover from the adrenaline of the moment. "Nearly got me, then! If he'd landed a direct hit, that would've been it!"

"Yusuke!" Sayomi stopped beside the detective and looked him over for any serious injuries. Not that I could heal him now, but… "What the hell were you thinking?!"

"Tough one, huh…" Yusuke and Sayomi looked up at Hiei. He stood with his arms crossed, watching them with a bored expression. "He didn't need to escape your blast, just whip up an updraft to redirect its force. He's a veteran campaigner, with far more experience than you'll ever have! Any idea how you'll beat him?"

"Not yet!" Yusuke growled angrily, earning an annoyed glare from the fire apparition. "You got any clue, by any chance?!"

"Can we start by not blowing us up along with the enemy?" Sayomi glared at the boy, clenching and unclenching her fists. I don't know if I want to hug him or punch him.

"It's still your fight, but this standing around is really starting to bore me." Hiei unfolded his arms and slipped his right hand into his pocket. He leveled his gaze with Yusuke and said, "Just so you know… If you lose, I'm taking him on next."

Sayomi watched Hiei as his dark aura began to fluctuate around his body. Her eyes began to widen and they lightened from dark gray to sliver. Is she really healing him?

Hiei smirked and removed his right arm from his pocket, clenching his fists. "Forget the rules and anyone who complains. Anyone!"

Yusuke, Luka, and the Masked Fighter watched Hiei with surprise, fear, and caution. Sayomi felt a smile creep on her face as she imagined taking on the whole stadium.

"5! 6!" Koto had already started the count. "7!"

Yusuke turned to the field and leaped back into the ring.

"Fight!" Koto announce enthusiastically.

Yusuke glared up at Jin while he addressed the eager fire demon. "It's still my fight and I'll finish it myself, Hiei!"

Hiei crossed his arms and watched the detective, bored with waiting.

Sayomi sighed and slid a glance to Hiei. As much as I would love to join you, Yusuke has a point. Let him handle this. If he loses in the next match, then we can carry on with that plan.

"Hn." Hiei didn't bother giving her a proper reply. He ignored her and watched the rest of the match unfold.

Jin was still hanging in the sky, spinning both of his arms in circles with a smile. "Cocky little so-and-so! You'd better pay attention, then!" His arms began to accelerate, stirring up more wind.

"Jin's whipping up cyclones with both arms!" Koto said in awe.

Yusuke could only stand in the ring, helpless as he watched his opponent prepare his attack.

"Go ahead… Blaze away!" Jin cheered in the sky, both tornados at the ready.

Yusuke glared and adjusted his stance. He squatted with his feet spread further apart. He clasped his left hand over his right wrist. His right hand was clenched into a fist and his aura began to flow around his whole body.

"What kinda stance is that?!" Koto yelled into the mic, unfamiliar with the attack.

"Haah…" Yusuke took a deep breath. He slowly released his arm and let his energy gather in his fist.

"Isn't that…?" Sayomi recalled their first encounter with the round worms that infected Yusuke's hometown. Is this his Shotgun? But this feels different somehow. His whole body is surrounded with aura. He already used up three shots today so if this doesn't work…

"Heh," The Masked Fighter chuckled to herself. "Well, Yusuke's a born gambler…"

Jin smiled down at Yusuke, his ears twitching with anticipation. "Hoo-hoo! His energy's rising like crazy! Awesome!" Jin dived down at Yusuke, both cyclones ready. "Let's rumble!"

Yusuke stood his ground as Jin quickly made his descent. At the last second, Yusuke caught Jin's right jab in his left hand.

"Yipes!" Koto, along with the rest of the spectators, was stunned by the display.

The impact was enough to push Yusuke back a few inches, but he refused to give in. Jin was speechless as he tried to overpower the detective. Yusuke, on the other hand, was digging his heels into the ring. He began to sweat as he strained to hold on to Jin's punch.

"Graarr!" With a shout of defiance, Yusuke threw Jin's first cyclone fist to the side. The wind dissipated and Jin was momentarily too stunned to do more than gape at Yusuke's bold move.

"Wow!" Koto was just as surprised as the Wind Master. "Urameshi blocked Jin's punch with his left hand!"

"Unh!" Jin managed to recover enough composure to throw his left tornado fist.

Yusuke was faster. He brought his left hand back up in time to catch that fist too. Yusuke locked eyes with Jin, letting the red-head realize what was coming. Jin could only watch as Yusuke charged his right fist.

"And now…" Without letting go, Yusuke released all of his pent up aura with a solid right cross directly into Jin's abdomen. "Aura Blast!" The attack launched Jin through the air. He crashed into the stands on the top level of the stadium.

"Clean hit by Urameshi!" Koto shouted. "He parried Jin's wind and sent him into the stands!"

"Yes!" Sayomi cheered, pumping her fist.

"Nice, sneaky move…" Hiei complimented.

"He used that one on the boat… called it 'Shotgun.' Apt description." The Masked Fighter explained. "The shockwave can blow away weak enemies at long range. It doesn't have the Reigun's punch and it works best directly on the body, as we just saw. That's Yusuke's best – and final – shot today, so if that doesn't do it…"

"…Then he's screwed." Sayomi concluded. Please stay down!

"4! 5!" Koto had started the count.