A/N: Hey there, AntiHero here! And I've got a new fanfiction that I'm eager to share. Now the idea came to me after I watched a YouTube video, Goku vs Yusuke by GKombat. It was some sort of Anime Tournament with many characters fighting each other; it was clearly fan made but once I watched it, I was so captivated by it, especially the Goku vs Yusuke fight. It made me wonder how strong the Yu Yu Hakusho characters were compared to the Dragon Ball characters. I looked it up and a lot of comments say that fighters of YYH are around the power of DB before the arrival of Raditz. So, I thought, 'What if the Z Fighters were in the Dark Tournament?' and seeing how no one did that story I decided to do it. My partner Warmachine37 agreed with me and gave me some ideas; now I want to see how this story does.
Disclaimer – I do not own Dragon Ball or Yu Yu Hakusho; Akira Toriyama & Togashi Yoshihiro, respectively, do.
Chapter 1 – Invitation
Somewhere deep within the Realm between the Living world and the Otherworld, two individuals were trekking along a path in the middle of stone spikes. One of them was a young man with brown hair, wearing a pink-trimmed blue robe, a red obi sash tied at the waist, brown pants, and black shoes, and carrying a pacifier in his mouth. The other was an attractive woman with light blue hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a light-pink kimono with a white obi sash.
"This place hasn't changed a bit." The young man commented.
"So, you've been here before Koenma sir?" the woman inquired.
"It was a long time ago Botan, my dad brought me here as a learning experience." Koenma explained. "To think after everything I've done to make him mad, he would send me to see her as a punishment."
"I can't believe we're meeting the great Tajoro, guardian of the Magical Furnace." Botan said. "I hope she's nice."
"Just don't spill her food or insult her in any way," Koenma advised. "She's a fierce woman and a deity who commands life and death to an extent, even my dear old dad is considered beneath her. Though my uncle is right above her."
"I see." Botan said. The two then stopped right in front of a large entrance shaped like the mouth of a demon. "Quite the entrance huh sir,"
"Looks like this is it," Koenma said. They wasted no time entering the cave and getting to the end; when they stepped out, they saw an enormous pot resting on a giant enclosed structure producing strong flames.
"So, this is the Furnace, it's so big and the heat is intense." Botan said.
"Well, hello there. How can I help you?" a voice said to the two. A short, stubby old man with small dark eyes, a bushy white mustache, and eyebrows, wearing a sleeveless orange jacket over a long-sleeved black shirt, black pants and shoes and a green hat stepped out from behind the furnace.
"You're new. Who are you?" Koenma asked.
"Call me Gohan. May I ask who you are?" the old man inquired.
"My name is Koenma sir, I'm the current ruler of the Spirit World." Koenma introduced himself before gesturing to his subordinate. "This is Botan, the Grim Reaper."
"Nice to meet you sir," Botan said with a bow.
"The pleasure is mine," Gohan said, returning the bow. "Now, what brings you to the bridge between worlds?"
"My Father, King Enma, sent us her on his behalf to discuss an important matter with Ms. Tajoro," Koenma explained.
"Is that so? Well, then I'll get her for you." The old fighter said before disappearing. After a few seconds, he returned. "She'll be right with you."
A stomping noise filled the room as a giant person stepped out from the furnace's steam. Towering before them was a fair skinned woman with a voluptuous figure and black hair, on her head rested a crown of spherical orange and red fuzzy balls and two arching threads attached to a white headband, plus a pair of red spherical earrings to match the head-dress. Her outfit consisted of a wide shouldered red upper tunic that was embroidered with golden borders and a set of rectangular white embroidery just resting over her sternum below her collar, a golden sash, a mid-piece of similar embroidered silk that travels between her white Kama dress, along orange cape as well as red silk braces with golden borders and red boots. She carried a bowl of noodles as she gazed down at her guests.
"Little Koenma, it's good to see you," She greeted the prince before shrinking down to their size and handed her food to the old fighter. "You've changed. But you still have the binky I gave you for your first birthday. How sweet," the woman smiled and petted the young boy's head.
"Aunt Annin don't smother me," Koenma said.
"She gave you that?" Botan asked.
"That's right." Annin said. "So, you're little miss Grim Reaper huh?"
"Botan at your service!" the blue haired girl introduced herself.
"A pleasure," Annin says. "Would you both care for some food?"
"No thank you Annin, we're here for important business." Koenma said.
"How's your father by the way Ko?" Annin asked.
"Ko?" Botan comments.
"As intolerable as always," Koenma answered. "He's actually the one who sent us here."
"Did he now? So, what does he want?" Annin inquired.
"It's about the matter of the upcoming Dark Tournament to determine the next Demon King," Koenma explained. "We need safety nets,"
"Why? The way I hear it, the last tournament turned out well." Annin said.
"It did, but that doesn't mean that the Demon Lords have completely backed down." The prince reasoned. "It's been three years, and everyone has gotten stronger and is eager to spill their own blood. We need more fighters to maintain the balance in power."
"I thought you had a handful of fighters that could do that," Annin said.
"We do, but there's no telling if things will go as smoothly as it did last time," Koenma replied. "My father, though he won't admit it, is worried and so am I. We could really use your help."
Annin sighed, "I really wish I could help, but I don't know any fighters strong enough to compete in this tournament." She replied.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure about that Annin." Grampa Gohan said. "My grandson's pretty strong, maybe he could help you."
"Goku?" Annin asked. "I suppose he could be a fitting participant for the tournament, but he would need at least four other fighters around the same strength,"
"Well, I'm sure after years of training and fighting, my boy has probably met quite a few strong fighters." Grandpa Gohan. "If they like to fight strong people, they might be interested in entering this tournament."
"No offense sir, but we're looking for really strong fighters, and well, not just anybody can stand up to a bunch of bloodthirsty demons." Botan said skeptically.
"Hmm," The old turtle student rubbed his chin. "How about a demonstration? Please follow us outside." Grampa Gohan led his boss and the visitors to the road resting between the spikes. "Now, watch closely. Ka…me…ha…me…" he puts his hands together and gathers his energy, forming a blue ball of Ki in his palms. "HA!" Thrusting his hands forward he launched the turtle shock wave and it stretched to the spikes, smashing through a few of them before exploding. Koenma and Botan stared in awe at the small destruction the old man caused. "How was that?" he asked.
"Alright old man, you're definitely strong." Koenma admitted.
"You should try watching the World Tournaments some time,"Gohan Sr. advised."You'll see many fighters who could probably top me at my best, and I can promise you that my grandson is many times stronger than I am."
"It's true. He was even able to give me a good fight," Annin added.
"Really? Any chance this strong guy knows four more guys who are just as strong and love to fight?" Botan asked.
"I'm sure he does, strong fighters are usually drawn to my boy," Grandpa Gohan replied.
"Well, we could really use his help in making sure this next Dark Tournament goes smoothly," Koenma said.
"Allow me to ask him but I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help." Gohan Sr. assured.
"Are you sure about this Gohan? This tournament isn't like the ones held in the living world," Annin warned. "It allows weapons and vile tactics. Even killing is allowed; this tournament is organized by the worst kind of people, human or demon. I wouldn't want to put your boy in danger like this."
"Neither would I, in fact I would enter myself if I weren't dead. But my Goku has accomplished many things and was trained by some of the strongest Martial Artists alive, including me. I have faith in that boy, and I believe he can handle it." The old fighter said.
"Very well, then we'll request his help right away," Annin said.
"Great. Then tell him that he'll have two months to prepare for the tournament," Koenma explained.
"Will do. Don't worry Ko, everything's going to work out alright." Annin said. "Tell your daddy not to be such a stiff,"
"Yes Aunty," Koenma said as he and his attendant left the in-between realm.
On Mount Paozu, the most recent world champion was sitting on a grassy field in a meditation position wearing his weighted clothing; as the wind blew, Goku sat there with his eyes closed, cut off from the outside world as he entered the mental plane. His inner world matching the physical environment he was in except filled with fog, he stood and scanned the area before he noticed a tall figure approaching him, it was none other than the spawn of the Demon King, Piccolo Jr. "You're here, Piccolo." Goku addresses his nemesis. The demon gives no response as he just stared back at the Monkey King. "I like to do a little image training every now and then so I don't get too rusty…now it's time to see what I can do, and you're just the guy to help me do that." The two fighters powered and prepared to fight.
Inside the house, Chi-Chi was doing some work in the kitchen when there was a knock at the door. "Be right there!" she called as she dropped what she was doing and went to open the door; when she did, she was greeted by two familiar faces. "Lady Baba. And Mr. Son, what are you doing here?"
"Hello again Chi-Chi, and please just Gohan is fine. Or if you prefer, Grandpa Gohan, since we're family now." the old fighter insisted. "May we come in?" The Ox Princess nodded and invited the two into her home. The elders sat down on some chairs (well, Gohan did, the old crone sat on her crystal ball) as Chi-Chi started to make some tea.
"How have you both been? Goku and I haven't seen either of you since the great flames delayed our wedding," Chi-Chi said.
"Yes, and let me be the first to say, Mozal Tuv." Grandpa Gohan said.
"Thank you Mr. Gohan, we owe it to you and Lady Baba, my father would be dead and there might not have been a wedding." Chi-Chi stated. "It's a shame you couldn't be there in person though,"
"Oh, I was my dear. Baba pulled some strings for me so that I could be there." the old man explained.
"Don't mention it. I wish I could say this was a social visit but we have something important to discuss with you and your husband." Baba informs her. "Is Goku around?"
"He's out training to stay in shape." Chi-Chi explained as she brought the tea over to her guest. "I could call him here if you want,"
"Do it, please." Baba said.
The Ox Princess nodded and went towards the door, stuck her head out and yelled at the top of her lungs. "GOKU!" After a few minutes, the spiky haired fighter came flying back to his home on his Nimbus.
"Hey Chi-Chi. Is it lunchtime yet? I'm starving." Goku states.
"You're always thinking with your stomach, Goku. Can't you see that we have guests?" Chi-Chi asked.
Goku glances inside the house to see the elders inside waiting. "Oh, Grandpa! Baba!" He goes in and bows to both of them. "Will you be joining us for lunch?"
"Sometimes I forget that it's been years since I raised you since you're still the same Goku." Gohan Sr.
"Before you have a meal Goku, there's something your grandfather and I need to talk to you about," Baba tells him.
"Is something wrong in the Underworld?" Goku questioned as he sat down beside his wife.
"Well, there's nothing wrong in the Underworld my boy, but we could use your help elsewhere," the old fighter said. "Tell me, have either of you heard of the Demon World?"
Goku's face became a bit serious from the question. "I've been there before, but I wasn't there for long. I didn't see much of it."
"Good. Cause we're going to need you to go back." Baba said, confusing the couple. "There's more to the Demon World than just a realm where monsters like King Piccolo spawn; it's a planet as big as the Earth itself with its own kind of system. One of those systems is how its king is decided and that's what we need your help with."
"The Demon World holds an event called the Dark Tournament in order to determine who will rule their realm for a certain time." Gohan Sr explained. "The last king's reign is coming to an end and the supervisor of both worlds is worried that the peace between humans and demons will end. So he wants to try and preserve that peace a little longer,"
"You want Goku to enter into this tournament?" Chi-Chi asked.
"Yes." Baba answered.
Goku didn't lose his serious expression. "What'll happen if this peace is broken?" he asked.
"While not many are as powerful as you or King Piccolo, they are strong and they love to devour humans." Grandpa Gohan said. "There are barriers meant to separate the two worlds but some creatures do manage to slip out and cause trouble from time to time. If there's no king to keep the peace they could come swarming this world or if the new king is unruly they could end up leading an invasion."
"So you want me to win this tournament so that the demons won't come to Earth to eat humans?" Goku inquired.
"Well, not win exactly but if the demons see a strong human enter their tournament and display incredible feats of strength, it might send a warning that humans aren't as weak as they used to be in the past." Gohan Sr. replied. "And if you by any chance were to win, you could decline the position and give it back to the old king or pass it on to another more deserving successor."
"So, will you do it?" Baba asked.
Goku looks at his wife before asking "What do you think Chi-Chi?"
The Ox Princess remains silent for a minute before replying. "We already have to deal with one demon trying to cause trouble, I wouldn't want to have a whole lot of them coming here. While letting you go to their world scares me, if entering this tournament will keep us safe then you should do it. Not that I could stop you anyway."
"Thank you, Chi-Chi." Goku said before addressing the elders. "Looks like I'm in. So what are the rules of this Dark Tournament? Same as the World Tournament?"
"Not exactly my boy." Gohan replied. "The Dark Tournament does take place in a ring but if knocked out of it, you have ten seconds to get back in the ring before you're declared the loser; weapons are also allowed to be used in this tournament."
"And since it's in the demon world, you shouldn't be surprised that killing your opponent is also allowed," Baba said.
"What?! Are you saying Goku could be killed in this tournament?!" Chi-Chi asked. "Don't you think you should've mentioned that first?"
"Well we didn't want to scare you before you agreed to do this," old Gohan said sheepishly.
"It's okay honey, that just means no one will be holding back against me, makes it more fun that way." Goku said. "Besides this won't be any different from when Piccolo or Tien tried to kill me."
"That doesn't make me worry any less Goku." Chi-Chi said before sighing. "But like I said I don't think I could stop you from entering."
"Well, I always did love a good fight," Goku chuckles.
"Just make sure you come back to me. I'm not looking to become a widow anytime soon." Chi-Chi told him.
"Perhaps this good news could put your mind at ease my dear, Goku won't be fighting alone." Goku's guardian said. "This tournament is one that puts teams of fighters against each other. So, aside from Goku having to gather a team of his own, there will be other teams who will be fighting for the same reason he will be."
"Then why do you need me if you've got others to fight for peace?" Goku asked.
"Our supervisor does have a certain amount of faith in his fighters, he's even certain that they'll win but he wants some insurance that the peace the two worlds have right now remains stable." Gohan Sr. explained.
"So, I need a team to enter the Dark Tournament?" Goku inquired.
"And a sponsor. A rich person to represent your team and bet on your fights. This event is actually organized by humans who love watching demons beat each other." Baba said.
"How many fighters are needed for a team?" Goku asked.
"The minimum number of fighters is five." Grandpa Gohan answered. "I don't suppose you know four more humans who know how to fight?"
The newlyweds looked at each other, thinking of the same group of people. "I think we may know a few," Goku replied.
"Good. Then you should recruit them right away. You'll have two months to get ready for the tournament, I hope you'll use them wisely." Baba advised. "Now, we must be going." The old crone and the elderly martial artist then rose and left the Son household.
Goku then got up and slammed his right fist into his left palm. "Alright, time to assemble my team for the Dark Tournament! But first…" he then places his hands on his stomach as it grumbles. "Are you gonna have lunch ready soon Chi-Chi?"
The Ox Princess shakes her head but smiles at her husband's antics. "Oh Goku…"
Elsewhere in a forest area…
The Son of King Piccolo was doing his own usual routine training; utilizing the Multi-Form technique he learned at the world tournament, he split himself into three parts, two of them were working to improve his fighting prowess while the third was practicing his Ki control by using telekinesis to lift multiple chunks of rocks and trees.
He stopped to get a drink of water when he suddenly sensed two Ki signals approaching him; he immediately held out his hand and prepared an attack. "Who goes there? Unless you wish to die, show yourselves and I might be merciful,"
The intruders soon revealed themselves to the Demon King successor, them being two bald men, one had his eyes closed, both wearing blue robes with a gray vest decorated with dark triangles."So the rumors are true, King Piccolo really has returned," the demon with his eyes closed said. Piccolo responded by stretching his arms to grab his visitors; they easily dodged and threw their own punches that Piccolo blocked before releasing a kiai, blowing the two back a bit. "And you're just as strong as ever."
"Forgive our intrusion Daimao. Allow us to formally introduce ourselves. My name is Hokushin and my comrade is Seitei. We serve…" the man with his eyes open said but was interrupted.
"You're followers of Raizen. I remember those who serve the Mazoku," Piccolo told them. "What business do you have with me"
"You've certainly changed from all those years ago Daimao," Yomi commented. "Your less patience now,"
"I'm not the King Piccolo you remember. I am his successor and reincarnation. His son, born out of vengeance and meant to take his place and conquer the earth. Piccolo Jr." Piccolo declared. "Now, if you've just come to say hello, then leave now! You're disturbing my training!"
"A Lot has happened since you were sealed away Piccolo," Seitei said.
"Like Raizen passing on, or the Demon Lords no longer at strong odds with each other or there being a new King of Demon World," Piccolo stated, surprising the two. "I hear things, especially from the lower demons who manage to sneak onto earth every now and then."
"I guess we don't need to explain much, so we'll just cut to the chase." Hokushin said. "The next Dark Tournament to determine the ruler of Demon World is coming up; we want to extend an invitation for you to participate, Piccolo Jr."
Piccolo raised his non-existent eyebrow. "Why? This could be either a chance for Raizen's brat to take over Demon World; wouldn't adding another strong competitor risk your chances?"
"Awfully confident of you to assume that your inclusion would really put Lord Yusuku at a disadvantage, but that's actually This is about wanting a decent challenge to test his skills against." Seitei explained.
"You want your master to fight me?" Demon Jr. asked. "Wouldn't the other Demon Lords provide him a good fight?"
"Yes. Your return shifts the balance of power in the Demon World but it also presents an opportunity." Hokushin said. "Raizen died as an unbeatable force and his successor has stirred things up in a way that we'd never expected. We just want Yuske to fight the great King Piccolo. If his strength was tested against yours, we're sure he would grow much stronger, even enough to take his place as the Demon King."
"You understand that if I enter, there's a chance that I will be the victor and claim that throne for myself." Piccolo stated.
"We do. And it would be better if you ruled Demon World rather than Yomi or Mukuro," Seitei replied.
"Ah, so that's the motive. I understand not wanting to lose a rivalry very well," Ma Junior chuckled. "Hmmm, I would enjoy proving my supremacy over other demons as well as grow stronger from competing against my own kind."
"Then you will enter the Dark Tournament?" Hokushin inquired.
"I will. I could use a horde of demons in my conquest of earth. Plus, I am interested in seeing how strong this Mazoku spawn is." Piccolo replied with a smirk.
"Excellent. We look forward to facing you in the ring." Hokushin said. "Be sure to assemble a strong team of fighters and a sponsor, human love gaining wealth from this kind of sport as I'm sure you're aware." The two Demons then vanished, leaving Ma Junior to continue his training. The green fighter sat down to meditate again when he heard a buzzing sound, he looked around and spotted what seemed to be a tiny insect looking down at him; he simply widened his eyes and the bug immediately burst into flames.
In an underground laboratory, an elderly man was watching a large screen that was now showing static; the old man frowns from the destruction of his spy-bug but then smirks from the recent data he received.
"Never a dull moment with these freaks of nature," he muttered, referring to the Demon King and the Monkey King. "But this actually works in my favor. A new world of fighters to analyze and collect samples from." He then walks over to a row of five large capsules that are numbered from eleven to fifteen. "And then I will have the perfect weapons to enact my revenge on Son Goku and fulfill the Red Ribbon's dream of World domination! But first, I think a trial run is in order…and I know the perfect test subjects."
A/N:And that's a wrap! Alright, my DBZ-YYH crossover has begun! Now to see where this story goes and hope it's as good as I planned it in my head.